THE  ROMANCE  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 


THE    ROMANCE 


OF   THE 


REVOLUTION, 

BEING 

A  HISTORY   OF   THE    PERSONAL   ADVENTURES,    HEROIC    EXPLOITS, 
AND   ROMANTIC    INCIDENTS,    AS    ENACTED   IN 

THE  WAR  OF  INDEPENDENCE, 

EDITED    BY 

OLIVER    B.    BUNCE. 


NEW    YORK: 
PUBLISHED    BY    BUNCE    &    BROTHER, 

134     NASSAU    STREET. 

1853. 


LOAN  STACK 


Entered   according  to   act  of  Congress,    in   the   year    1852,    by 

BUNCE    &    BROTHER, 

in  the  clerk's  office,  of  the  District  Court   of  the  Southern  District   of 
New  York. 


Stereotyped  by  BULL  &  RUSSELL,  13  Spruce  street. 


UO  NTE  NTS. 


Page. 

INTRODUCTION,  -                          11 

STORIES  AND  ANECDOTES  OF  WASHINGTON,  -                    31 

ADVENTURES  OF  MARION,       -  -   •         -             46 

A  ROMANTIC  STORY,  -                     58 
CAPTURE,  IMPRISONMENT  AND  ESCAPE  OF  GEN.  WADSWORTH,     62 

GALLANT  ENTERPRISE  OF  MAJOR  BARTON,  -                           69 

AN  INTERESTING  STORY,                             -  -                     7o 

A  THRILLING  NARRATIVE,  82 

THE  STORY  OF  AN  OLD  SOLDIER,       •  -                    86 

ADVENTURES  OF  THE  BROTHERS  SAMMONS,  -            -             92 

NARRATIVE  OF  FREDERICK  SAMMONS,        -  -             -     102 

DEBORAH  SAMPSON,                             -  -            -           110 

JOSEPH  BETTYS,                              -             -  -             -     117 

MR.  AND  MRS.  FISHER,  -             -           122 

THRILLING  ADVENTURE  OF  LIEUT.  SLOCUMB,  -     131 

EXECUTION  OF  COL.  ISAAC  HAYNE,     -  -             -           139 

ADVENTURES  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  CLINTON,  -     142 

ADVENTURES  OF  LIEUT.  RICHARD  DALE,  144 

MlSS    MONCRIEFFE,                                                     -  ~                  -       147 

211 


Vlll  CONTENTS. 

Page. 

AN  EXTRAORDINARY  ADVENTURE,        -  150 

Miss  MOORE,       -  -     162 

ADVENTURES  OF  MR.  FERRIS,               -  -                         165 

EXPLOITS  OF  SERGEANT  JASPER,  -                           -     172 

AN  ACT  OF  MERCY  REWARDED,          -  176 

^CAPTAIN  NATHAN  HALE,  -            -             -     179 

CAPTURE  OF  CAPTAIN  HARPER,          -  184 

A  DESPERATE  ENCOUNTER,  -                           -     190 

ANECDOTES  OF  COL.  HORRY,               -  -                        1£3 

A  HIGH  SPIRITED  FAMILY,  -             -             -     197 

ESCAPE  OF  CAPTAIN  PLUNKETT,  201 

ATTEMPTED  ABDUCTION  OF  GEN.  SCHUYLER,  -     203 

ADVENTURES  OF  DR.  CALDWELL,  206 

COLONEL  WILLETT,  -     209 

INTREPID  CONDUCT  OF  MAJOR  JAMES,  •                         212 

A  NOVEL  SITUATION,        -  -             -             -     214 

THE  DEATH  OF  MAJOR  HENLEY,  -             -           218 

ADVENTURES  OF  COL.  HARPER,     -  -             -             -     221 

NARROW  ESCAPE  OF  COL.  SNIPES,       -  225 

A  SCENE  IN  THE  FOREST,  -            -            -     228 

A  GALLANT  COMBAT,                             -  -             -           231 

A  GALLANT  ENTERPRISE,               -  233 

NARRATIVE  OF  BARONESS  REIDESEL,  -             -           236 

LYDIA  DARRAH,  ...     249 

CAPTURE  OF  PRESIDENT  DAGGETT,      -  252 

MURDER  OF  MR.  AND  MRS.  CALDWELL,  -             -             -     255 

CAPTAIN  CUNNINGHAM,  -             -           259 

ADVENTURE  OF  A  SOLDIER,  -             -             -     261 

ADVENTURES  OF  GEN.  PUTNAM,           -  263 


CONTENTS.  IX 

Page. 

INCIDENTS  AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  ORISKANY,                            -  265 

ADVENTURE  OF  COL.  COCHRAN,                         -             -  268 

ANECDOTES  OF  SERGEANT  MCDONALD,      -  270 

A  ROMANTIC  INCIDENT,                        -             -             -  272 

HEROISM  OF  A  YOUNG  GIRL,                       ...  273 

A  SPY  IN  BURGOYNE'S  CAMP,              •  275 
CAPTURE  OF  A  TORY,       -  ^          -             -            -             -277 

CAPTAIN  HUDDY,        -                                       -  279 

COLONEL  FISHER,                           ...             -  281 

AN  ESCAPE  FROM  THE  PRISON  SHIP,               •  284 

A  DARING  YOUTH,                                                     -             -  286 

CRUELTY  OF  THE  TORIES,       ....  288 

AFFECTING  SCENES,                      ....  290 

A  STORY  OF  A  DOG,                            -            -  292 

DICEY  LANGSTON,                          ....  294 

WONDERFUL  ESCAPE  FROM  INDIANS,               -             -  296 

A  PATRIOTIC  GIRL,          -             -             -             -  302 

TRIALS  OF  A  PATRIOT,             ....  304 
MRS.  SHUBRICK,                -             -             -             -             -318 

THE  PRIVATEER,                       -             -             -             -  321 

THE  MAIDEN  WARRIOR,                -            -            -             -  323 

MAJOR  ISRAEL  FEARING,         -            -            -            -  326 

CAPTIVITY  OF  ETHAN  ALLEN,       ....  328 

A  FAIR  EXCHANGE,    -----  334 

A  PATRIOT'S  SUFFERINGS,             -             -             -             -  335 

COL.  JOHN  SMALL,      -                                       -             -  336 

ADVENTURE  BY  TWO  LADIES,         -            -            -            -  338 

CAPTURE  OF  GEN.  WOODHULL,            ...  339 

BRITISH  BARBARITY,                                    -  340 

ADVENTURE  OF  CHARLES  MORGAN,     -             -  341 


X!  CONTENTS. 

Page. 

EXPLOITS  ON  THE  FRONTIERS,      -  -                  344 

DAVID  ELERSON,                                    -  344 

ATTACK  ON  MR.  SHANKLAND'S  HOUSE,  *             -     346 

DARING  ADVENTURE  OF  A  CAPTIVE,     -  348 

A  GALLANT  DEFENCE,      -  -                  349 

HEROISM  OF  A  WOMAN,  350 

A  STIRRING  INCIDENT,     -            -  -     351 

A  DARING  FELLOW,  352 

A  FEARFUL  ENCOUNTER,  -     855 

MISCELLANEOUS  ANECDOTES,  359 

INCIDENTS  ON  THE  BORDER,  414 

APPENDIX,        -  423 

HISTORY  OF  THE  SONS  OF  LIBERTY.  423 

APPOINTMENT  OF  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  430 

A  REVOLUTIONARY  RELIC.                -  -             428 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  leading  events  of  the  War  of  Independence,  are  familiar 
to  every  American  ;  but  there  has  been  much  recorded  of  stir 
ring  incident  which  is  not  familiar  to  the  American  people,  and 
much  remains  yet  to  be  disclosed,  connected  with  even  the  promi 
nent  actors  in  the  drama.  From  time  to  time,  during  the  last 
fifty  years,  various  sketches  have  appeared,  recounting  strange 
passages  in  the  war ;  and  these  sketches  have  been  sometimes  re 
plete  with  extraordinary  adventure  and  romantic  situation  of  the 
most  novel  and  thrilling  kind ;  but  they  have  never,  till  now, 
been  collected  in  any  permanent  form,  and  have  been  in  danger, 
from  merely  appearing  in  the  transitory  periodicals  of  the  day,  o^ 
passing  into  utter  oblivion.  And,  to  preserve  these  legendary 
pictures  from  such  oblivion,  and  to  perpetuate  them  in  the  affec 
tions  of  the  American  people,  was  the  object  of  this  work ;  to  col 
lect  these,  and  other  fragments  of  history,  as  combined,  would 
present  a  history  of  the  romance  of  the  Revolution,  and  a  chroni 
cle  of  the  individual  heroism,  exploits,  and  adventures  of  those  en 
gaged  in  that  struggle. 

And  it  is  only  by  such  a  histoiy,  that  we  can  have  a  forcible  illus 
tration  of  the  age,  and  be  enabled  to  understand  and  appreciate 
all  that  our  forefathers  did  and  suffered  for  the  cause  they  espoused. 
Ponderous  histories,  that  merely  chronicle  the  movements  of 


XII  INTRODUCTION. 

armies,  or  the  actions  of  governments,  give  but  an  inadequate 
conception  of  an  era.  We  must  look  into  the  hearts  of  the  peo 
ple,  see  their  motives  and  passions,  if  we  would  understand  the 
merits  of  a  contest.  If  we  would  understand  how  England,  with 
all  her  wealth  and  greatness,  could  not  conquer  her  wretched, 
starving  colonies,  we  must  go  to  the  firesides  of  her  opponents, 
and  see  in  the  virtues  there  nourished,  and  the  love  of  freedom 
there  fostered,  a  solution  to  the  mystery.  And  to  see  and  feel 
this  legend  were  a  thousand-fold  more  potent  than  cold  and 
dignified  histoiy.  By  it,  the  living  and  breathing  age  is  poi 
trayed  and  brought  home  to  our  sympathies,  in  all  its  vivid  reality. 
The  fireside  reminiscence,  treasured  with  sacred  reverence,  that 
gives  a  fearful  page  of  suffering,  and  cruelty  and  blood,  wreaked 
on  those  our  memory  recalls  in  life,  will  sooner  than  the  most 
studied  eloquence  of  the  historian,  send  us  to  our  pillow  with  tear 
ful  sympathy,  and  thrilling  gratitude  for  dangers  past.  Such 
fragments  of  history,  although  they  are  often  excluded  as  un- 
suited  to  the  dignity  of  history,  are  the  surest  preservers  of  a 
people's  patriotism,  and  the  most  certain  link  between  the  pre 
sent  and  former  ages. 

This  volume,  therefore,  in  being  the  legendary  part  of  the 
history,  will  promote  a  better  knowledge  of  the  spirit  of  the  time, 
than  can  be  derived  from  most  any  other  source.  Not  that  it  is 
claimed  to  possess  anything  new,  but  the  minute  details  of  indi 
vidual  suffering  and  bravery,  have  been  gathered  together ;  the 
broken  and  diffuse  rays  have  been  centered  into  one  focus,  and 
the  result  is  a  romantic  history,  scarcely  to  be  equalled.  By  this 
the  reader  sees,  not  the  action  of  armies,  but  of  the  people.  He 
enters  directly  into  their  spirit.  He  suffers,  dares,  and  forbears 
with  them.  He  feels  all  their  manifold  grievances,  and  bears  with 


INTRODUCTION.  XIII 

them  the  burthen  laid  upon  their  shoulders.  All  the  minute 
springs  of  the  contest  are  developed,  and  in  the  battle  we  see  the 
impulse  of  each  heart,  and  the  despair  or  joy  of  the  individual 
combatant;  rejoice  with  him  in  the  accomplishment  of  his 
cherished  revenge,  or  weep  over  his  untimely  fate.  In  short,  we 
are  transported  to  the  scenes,  and  become  actors  in  the  drama, 
whereas,  in  the  loftier  air  of  history,  we  are  only  spectators. 

It  is  undoubtedly  a  truth,  that  injustice  promotes  injustice  ;  a 
rvrong  begun  is  only  maintained  by  wrong  continued.  The  first 
sontest  of  England  with  America,  sprang  from  tyranny;  she 
was  the  aggressor,  the  offending  party ;  and  it  seems  to  have  been 
a  moral  consequence,  that  a  war,  thus  unrighteous,  should  have 
been  characterised  by  an  entire  violation  of  every  humane  and 
honorable  purpose.  The  chivalry  of  the  British  soldier  was  compro 
mised  by  an  invasion  so  monstrous,  and  this  principle  once  ban 
ished,  there  was  nothing  to  restrain  the  sway  of  brutal  passion, 
and  cruelty  and  blood-thirstiness,  were  suffered  to  grow  and  foster 
in  every  breast.  Never  has  England  been  engaged  in  a  contest 
which  has  left  so  uneffaceable  a  stain  as  the  struggle  with 
America.  The  long  established  reputation  of  her  army  for 
courage  and  humanity,  was  sacrificed  for  the  stigma  of  cruelty  and 
ferocity  ;  and  this  stigma  became  affixed  upon  all  concerned  in  the 
war.  What  say  the  present  English  historians,  of  Rawdon,  Tarle- 
ton  and  Cunningham  ?  .  What  can  future  ages  say  of  those 
arch-instruments  of  wrong  and  oppression?  Their  history  re 
mains  a  monument  of  England's  wrong ;  and  by  their  deeds  alone 
could  future  ages  determine  the  merits  of  the  contest.  Those 
who  are  impelled  to  a  course  by  a  sense  of  right,  those  who  are 
engaged  in  the  defence  of  a  principle,  never  ar«  guilty  of  cruelty 


XIV  INTRODUCTION. 

and  oppression ;  the  sacredness  of  their  cause,  preserve  their 
names  unstained,  and  their  souls  unblemished. 

But  perhaps  the  fact  that  we  were  rebels,  aside  from  the  injus 
tice  of  their  invasion,  may  have  goaded  them  on  to  ferocity. 
English  history  shows  that  that's  a  name  on  which  the  English 
bestow  no  sympathy,  and  for  those  thus  ranked  they  allow  no 
mercy.  Such  beings  are  without  the  pale  of  humanity,  and  are 
not  to  be  treated  with  any  faith,  with  whom  no  obligations  are 
binding,  and  to  Avhom  no  pity  is  due.  With  such  severity,  at 
least,  were  the  rebel  Scots  treated  on  the  sanguinary  field  of  Cul- 
loden.  We  are  all  familiar  with  the  atrocities  committed  on  that 
•day;  how,  by  the  commands  of  the  inhuman  butcher,  the  Duke 
of  Cumberland,  the  hapless  Scots  were  shot  down,  bayoneted, 
and  murdered,  long  after  they  had  surrendered,  and  even  while 
they  were  begging  for  quarter. 

But,  indeed,  the  extent  which  British  cruelty  was  inflicted  upon 
us  in  the  memorable  contest  of  the  Revolution,  is  scarcely  appre 
ciated  by  our  countrymen.  Nothing  equals  the  determined, 
blood-thirsty  fury  which  characterised  it  in  some  quarters  of  the 
union.  It  was  almost  a  war  of  extermination  in  the  South. 
There  young  lads  were  often  shot  down,  that  they  might  not 
live  to  be  full-grown  rebels,  and  mothers  brutally  murdered,  that 
they  might  bring  forth  no  more  enemies  to  the  king.  Among 
the  people  in  villages,  and  in  the  open  country,  existed  the 
greatest  suffering,  and  often  were  manifested  the  noblest  heroism, 
the  loftiest  patriotism,  and  the  grandest  fortitude.  With  such 
ferocity  were  they  pursued  by  the  British  soldiery,  that  their 
only  retreat  became  the  army.  At  no  moment  were  they 
safe.  Neither  in  their  beds,  by  their  firesides,  nor  on  the  high 
ways.  Daily  and  nightly  murder  frightened  the  time  with  their 


INTRODUCTION.  XV 

atrocities.  Reckless  marauders  traversed  the  country  in  all  di 
rections  ;  sparing  neither  age,  sex,  nor  infancy.  Nightly,  the  red 
flame  glared  upon  the  horizon,  and  houseless  children  hung  over 
the  desecrated  and  butchered  forms  of  their  parents.  Bitter  the 
hatred,  malignant  the  revenge,  that,  on  such  occasions,  would 
spring  into  existence,  destined  to  find  retribution  in  torrents  of 
blood. 

It  is  claimed,  that  these  atrocities  were  mostly  chargeable  upon 
the  tories.  This  is  partly  true  ;  but  it  would  have  been  impossible 
for  any  class  of  beings  to  have  exceeded  the  ferocity  of  the  Hessian 
hirelings.  And  the  fiercest  renegade  in  the  whole  South,  could 
not  have  equalled  the  dark  deeds  of  Tarleton.  And  as  an  evi 
dence  that  not  the  tories,  nor  the  marauders  alone,  but  the  Bri 
tish  army,  and  not  the  mere  ignorant  and  brutalized  privates, 
but  many  of  the  officers,  the  high-minded,  honorable  and  chival- 
ric  officers,  were  cognizant  of  the  cruelties  and  atrocities  prac 
tised,  we  subjoin  an  extract  from  a  letter,  written  by  an  officer  in 
General  Eraser's  battalion,  engaged  in  the  unfortunate  Battle  of 
Long  Island,  which  shows  the  spirit  that  actuated  our  enemies 
in  that  oppressive  war.  This  is  the  extract :  "  The  Hessians  and 
our  brave  Highlanders  gave  no  quarters ;  and  it  was  a  fine  sight 
to  see  with  what  alacrity  they  despatched  the  rebels  with  their 
bayonets,  after  we  had  surrounded  them  so  they  could  not  resist ! 
We  took  care  to  tell  the  Hessians  that  the  rebels  had  resolved  to 
give  no  quarter — to  them  in  particular — which  made  them  fight 
desperately,  and  put  to  death  all  that  came  in  their  hands." 
What  are  we  to  think  of  such  savage  and  diabolic  conduct  ? 

But  of  all  atrocities,  those  committed  in  the  prisons  and  prison- 
ships  of  New  York,  are  the  most  execrable ;  and,  indeed,  there 
is  nothing  in  history  to  excel  the  barbarities  there  inflicted.  It  is 


XVI  INTRODUCTION. 

stated  that  the  enormous  number  of  nearly  twelve  thousand 
American  prisoners  "suffered  death  by  their  inhuman,  cruel, 
savage  and  barbarous  usage  on  board  the  filthy  and  malignant 
British  prison-ship,  called  the  Jersey,  lying  in  New  York."  This 
number,  possibly,  may  be  exaggerated,  but  adding  those  who 
died  and  were  poisoned  in  the  infected  prisons  within  the  city,  a 
much  larger  number  would  be  necessary  to  include  all  of  those 
who  suffered  by  command  of  British  generals  in  New  York.  The 
scenes  enacted  within  these  prisons,  almost  exceed  belief.  We 
need  not  go  to  the  dark  ages  for  deeds  of  crime  and  terror,  when 
this  more  modern  history  is  before  us.  There  were  several  prisons 
in  the  city,  but  the  most  terrible  of  them  all  was  the  Provost, 
(now  the  Hall  of  Records.)  This  was  under  the  charge  of  one 
Cunningham,  the  like  of  whom,  for  unpitying,  relentless  cruelty, 
the  world  has  never  produced.  He  had  a  love  for  inflicting  tor 
ture  ;  it  was  his  passion,  his  besotted  appetite ;  he  seemed  to  live 
upon  the  agony  of  human  beings  ;  their  groans  were  his  music, 
and  their  sufferings  his  pastime.  He  thirsted  for  blood,  and  took 
an  eager  delight  in  murder.  He  stopped  the  rations  of  the  pri 
soners,  and  sold  them  to  add  to  the  luxuries  of  his  own  table, 
whilst  his  victims  were  starving  to  death.  They  were  crowded 
into  rooms  where  there  was  not  space  to  lay  down,  with  no 
blankets  to  protect  them  from  the  cold,  to  which  the  unglazed 
windows  exposed  them,  while  they  were  suffering  from  fevers, 
thirst  and  hunger.  In  the  summer  months  epidemics  raged 
among  them,  and  they  were  denied  medicine  or  attendance,  and 
compelled  to  breathe  damp  and  putrid  air.  The  dead  bodies 
were  carried  in  cartfulls,  cast  into  holes  prepared  for  the  purpose, 
and  a  bare  covering  of  soil  thrown  over  them.  But  hear  what 
Cunningham  himself  says  of  his  own  acts.  Our  readers  will  re- 


INTRODUCTION.  XV11 

member  that  this  man,  in  1791,  committed  forgery  in  London, 
was  apprehended,  tried  and  executed,  before  which  event  he 
made  his  dying  speech  and  confession.  We  give  an  extract  from 
it:  "  I  shudder  to  think  of  the  murders  I  have  been  accessory 
to,  both  with  and  without  orders  from  the  government,  espe 
cially  in  New  York,  during  which  time  there  were  more  than 
two  thousand  prisoners  starved  in  the  different  prisons,  by  stop 
ping  their  rations,  which  I  sold.  There  were  also  two  hundred 
and  seventy-five  American  prisoners  and  obnoxious  persons  exe 
cuted,  out  of  all  which  number  there  was  only  about  one  dozen 
public  executions,  which  chiefly  consisted  of  British  and  Hessian 
deserters.  The  mode  for  private  executions  was  thus  conducted : 
A  guard  was  despatched  from  the  Provost,  about  half-past  twelve 
at  night,  to  the  Barrack  street,  and  the  neighborhood  of  the  up 
per  barracks,  to  order  the  people  to  shut  their  window  shutters 
and  put  out  their  lights,  forbidding  them,  at  the  same  time,  to 
presume  to  look  out  of  their  windows  and  doors  on  pain  of  death, 
after  which  the  unfortunate  prisoners  were  conducted,  gagged, 
just  behind  the  upper  barracks,  and  hung  without  ceremony,  and 
there  buried  by  the  Black  Pioneer  of  the  Provost."  And  these 
murders  were  the  common,  nightly  pastime  of  this  monster.  If 
utter  and  irremediable  depravity  ever  existed  in  the  heart  of  a 
human  being,  it  was  in  that  of  Cunningham. 

The  scenes  that  were  enacted  on  board  the  Jersey  and  other 
prison-ships,  are  almost  too  horrible  to  relate.  They  were  one 
unrelieved  succession  of  horrors.  Oppression,  tyranny  that 
gloated  in  its  power  and  revelled  in  its  crimes,  suffering,  sickness, 
agony  unutterable,  and  death!  Over  eleven  thousand  victims 
consigned  to  untimely  graves  by  the  ferocity  of  their  oppressors ! 
Where,  in  the  history  of  wrong,  can  we  find  a  page  so  black  and 


XV111  INTRODUCTION. 

damned  as  this  ?  "Within  these  ships  were  crowded  all  classes 
and  all  ages,  from  infancy  to  decrepid  age,  and  here  they  lived  in 
darkness,  with  scarcely  sufficient  air  to  breathe,  and  that  so  foul, 
a  light  could  not  burn  in  it ;  some  dead,  dying,  or  delirious  with 
fever ;  prayers  and  blasphemies  filling  the  air ;  their  bodies  over 
run  with  vermin ;  crowded  up  to  dead  and  corrupted  bodies ;  no 
food  but  what  was  polluted  and  repugnant  to  the  stomach,  often 
crazed  with  thirst ;  no  relief,  no  pity,  no  hope ;  nothing  but  death 
— death  in  its  most  horrible  forms — suffering  and  anguish !  The 
imagination  cannot  picture  the  scene  in  all  its  horrors.  Some 
times  a  dying  wretch  would  creep  to  the  guard  and  beg  a  drop 
of  water  to  quench  his  raging  thirst ;  his  answer  would  be  a 
curse,  a  kick,  or  perhaps  the  thrust  of  a  bayonet,  which  would 
end  his  agony  at  once.*  On  one  occasion,  while  quite  a  large 
body  of  prisoners  were  gathered  at  the  grate  at  the  hatchway  to 
obtain  fresh  air,  a  sentinel  for  mere  pastime  thrust  his  bayonet 
down  among  them,  and  twenty-five  next  morning  were  found  to 
be  dead.  And  this  demoniac  spirit  was  practised  more  than 
once.f  We  turn  from  the  contemplation  of  this  picture  with 
sickening  horror.  Great  God !  can  it  be  possible,  that  deeds  like 
these  could  have  been  enacted  by  thy  creatures  ? 

*  At  one  time  two  young  brothers  were  sent  on  board  the  Jersey.  The 
elder  took  the  fever  and  in  a  few  days  become  delirious.  One  night,  as  he 
was  dying,  he  became  calm  and  sensible,  and  begged  for  a  little  water.  His 
brother  with  tears  entreated  the  guard  to  give  him  some,  but  in  vain.  The 
sick  youth  was  soon  in  his  last  struggles,  when  his  brother  offered  the 
guard  a  guinea  for  an  inch  of  candle  only,  that  he  might  see  his  brother  die. 
Even  this  was  refused.  "  Now,"  said  he,  drying  up  his  tears,  "  if  it  please 
God  that  I  ever  regain  my  liberty,  I'll  be  a  most  bitter  enemy."  He  re 
gained  his  liberty,  re-joined  the  army,  and  when  the  war  ended,  he  had 
eight  long  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  small  notches  on  his  rifle 
stock  I—Life  of  Silas  Talbot. 

~\  History  of  Martyrs- 


INTRODUCTION.  XIX 

In  examining  the  history  of  the  revolution,  we  are  struck  by 
the  vast  difference  in  the  physical  condition  of  the  two  armies. 
On  one  side  was  luxury  and  ease,  on  the  other  every  kind  of 
privation.  Our  invaders  had  gold  to  command  every  want,  while 
our  own  soldiers  had'  only  principle  by  which  to  fight  and  starve. 
When  the  British  soldier  went  into  the  field  he  had  comfort 
able  clothing  on  his  back  and  plenty  of  food  in  his  stomach ;  he 
was  animated  by  martial  array,  and  inspirited  by  the  confidence 
of  victory.  He  had  also  his  comfortable  quarters,  and  he  was 
rarely  oppressed  by  onerous  duties.  But  the  American  fought 
naked  and  starving.  Death  was  only  a  relief  from  misery, 
his  prospects  were  dark,  and  when  in  the  battle,  he  had  nothing 
but  his  consciousness  of  right  to  animate  him.  It  is  wonderful 
to  think  how  the  army  was  kept  together.  It  is  difficult  to  re 
alize  how  even  the  loftiest  patriotism  could  keep  men  in  the 
field,  where  the  chances  of  success  were  so  small,  and  their  suffer 
ing  so  great.  Nothing  but  their  noble  self-devotion,  unparalelled 
in  the  world,  kept  them  together.  How  can  posterity  be 
lieve  that  in  the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  as  stated  by  Greene 
himself,  that  hundreds  of  his  men  were  as  naked  as  they  were 
born !  Their  loins  were  galled  by  the  cartouch-boxes,  and  a 
folded  rag,  or  tuft- of  grass,  saved  their  shoulders  from  the  same 
injury  by  the  musket.*  What  magic  was  it  that  held  men  to 
gether  in  such  a  guise !  What  was  it,  but  a  principle  of  right, 
that  mighty  lever  which  no  power  can  restrain,  and  which  will 
eventually  accomplish  its  triumphs ! 

Not  only  the  men,  but  officers  and  all  suffered  alike.     Major 


*  Johnson's  Life  of  General  Greene. 


XX  INTRODUCTION. 

Garden*  states  that  often  there  was  but  one  uniform  among  a 
dozen  officers,  and  that  these  took  turn  in  wearing  it  when  in 
vited  to  head-quarters.  Garden  gives  another  anecdote  to  show 
the  privations  of  the  officers.  Dr.  Fayssoux  called  at 'the  hut  of 
General  Ruger,  of  the  southern  army,  but  was  refused  admission 
by  the  sentinel.  The  Doctor  insisted  upon  his  right  to  enter, 
which  the  sentinel  denied,  when  the  General  hearing  the  alter 
cation,  desired  the  sentinel  to  let  his  friend  pass.  "  Pardon  me, 
Doctor,"  said  the  General,  who  lay  upon  the  ground  wrapped 
up  in  his  military  cloak,  "  for  giving  you  so  ungracious  a  recep 
tion  ;  but  the  fact  is,  the  chances  of  war  have  robbed  me  of  every 
comfort,  and  I  confine  myself  to  solitude,  and  an  old  cloak,  while 
my  washerwoman  prepares  for  a  future  occasion,  the  only  shirt 
I  own." 

The  many  acts  of  chivalrous  heroism  which  were  performed  by 
those  who  thus  suffered  and  forebore  in  our  revolutionary  contest, 
if  the  truth  could  be  told,  and  they  possessed  that  distance  which 
lends  enchantment  to  view,  would  be  found  to  possess  more  real 
chivalry,  than  the  chronicles  of  that  age  affords  in  which  our 
fondness  for  the  dim,  uncertain  events  that  are  traced  upon  the 
horizon  of  the  past,  has  made  us  stamp  as  peculiarly  the  age  of 
romantic  bravery.  If  motive  constitutes  an  evidence  whereby  the 
actions  of  men  should  be  judged,  then  assuredly  the  deeds  of  our 
forefathers,  must  in  the  impartial  judgment  of  every  age,  and  in 
the  verdict  of  the  future,  which  shall  from  a  higher  point  of  view, 
look  and  pronounce  judgment  on  the  actions  of  all  the  past  that 
shall  be  spread  out  before  it,  and  all  alike  be  surrounded  by  the 
softening  and  harmonious  lines  of  distance,  be  admitted  to  as 

*  Garden's  Anecdotes  of  the  Revolution. 


INTRODUCTION.  XXI 

lofty  eminence,  as  all  the  half-fabulous  wonders  performed  by  the 
poet-sung  heroes  of  the  olden  time.  If  by  motive,  our  heroes 
should  be  judged,  they  would  rank  above  many  of  those  it  is 
the  pride  of  the  world  to  honor.  In  old  Greece  and  Rome  two 
passions  combined  to  urge  men  on  to  heroism — a  love  of  glory 
and  love  of  country.  In  the  middle  ages  it  was  purely  a  passion 
for  glory,  a  thirst  for  renown  in  prowess,  that  actuated  and  con 
trolled  those  mailed  warriors.  But  with  the  hero  of  the  Revolu 
tion,  an  unmixed  and  pure  patriotism  ;  a  true,  undivided,  and 
earnest  devotion  to  his  country,  for  which  he  would  often  sacri 
fice  glory  itself,  for  which  he  would  be  content  to  bear  the  "  scorns 
and  whips  of  time,"  was  the  sole  passion  of  his  breast.  Those 
who  figured  in  the  chivalrous  ages,  possessed  more  of  the  "  pride, 
pomp  and  circumstance  of  glorious  war,"  than  did  our  plain, 
simple,  uncouth,  and  "  unnamed  demi-gods."  They  were  sur 
rounded  by  a  glorious  halo,  through  which  men  look  entranced. 
A  barbaric  splendor  accompanied  all  their  movements,  and  the 
soft  touches  of  love,  and  the  gilded  decoration  of  art,  invest  them 
with  a  softened  and  marvellous  coloring.  With  flaunting  ban 
ners,  caparisoned  steeds,  silken  canopies,  brilliant  costumes,  jewel 
ed  weapons,  and  nodding  plumes  ;  with  attending  pages,  glitter 
ing  retinues,  and  imposing  pomp ;  with  a  dramatic  show  and 
glitter  of  war  that  fired  and  delighted  the  imagination,  and 
steeped  men's  senses  in  bewildering  wonder, — by  all  such  means 
they  presented  a  gorgeous  spectacle.  And  then  again  in 
their  huge  castles,  with  battlements  and  towers,  and  ramparts, 
with  tapestried  halls,  and  brilliant  feasts,  where  beauty  and  song 
swayed,  and  controlled  their  impulses;  in  this  and  these,  and 
in  their  reverence  for  beauty,  to  which  alone  they  bent  a  knee 
or  yielded  service,  do  we  find  the  romance  that  surrounds  them, 


XX11  INTRODUCTION. 

and  our  proneness  to  deify  them.  Wrest  them,  however,  of  all  this 
glitter  and  show,  and  come  close  where  all  the  ruggedness  of 
their  characters  may  be  examined,  and  we  find  that  their  chivalry 
often  was  degraded  into  brutality,  and  their  heroism  no  more 
than  modern  annals  attribute  to  the  meanest  of  those  who  took 
up  arms,  not  for  their  own  selfish  advancement,  but  for  the 
glory  of  their  country.  The  reader  will  find  in  the  following 
pages,  deeds  of  greater  prowess,  incidents  of  an  equal  romantic 
chivalry,  and  instances  of  as  pure,  unselfish  devotion,  as  can  be 
afforded  by  any  history  whatsoever.  The  deeds  stand  out  in  their 
naked  simplicity,  "  a  plain,  unvarnished  tale,"  unexaggerated  by 
poet  or  romancer. 

Perhaps  for  marvellous  adventure,  cunning  address,  great  for 
titude,  and  cool  daring,  no  history  is  so  fruitful  as  that  of  our 
border  warfare.  Tho  imagination  of  the  romancer  is  dull,  and 
his  invention  weak,  if  in  such  scenes  he  endeavor  to  substitute  fie 
tion  for  truth.  With  these  frontier  warriors  there  was  no  ease, 
their  energies  were  never  allowed  to  repose,  and  their  watchful 
ness  never  at  rest.  At  no  hour,  on  no  occasions,  could  they  in 
dulge  in  a  feeling  of  safety.  Their  nerves  were  always  strung  to 
the  farthest  tension,  their  invention  ever  alive  to  avert  danger,  or 
to  secure  a  victory.  Coolness  and  courage  must  ever  be  at  hand, 
a  moment's  weakness  would  often  prove  fatal.  Every  man  was 
the  cunning  general,  the  wily  tactician,  the  undaunted  hero! 
Stratagems  over  which  we  hang  in  delight,  and  reckless  daring 
that  make  us  pause  in  breathless  admiration,  were  daily  enacted. 
Acts  of  heroism  were  so  common,  and  heroes  so  many,  that  they 
ceased  to  create  surprise.  Not  only  were  the  men  thus  heroic, 
but  women  were  inspired  with  a  spirit  equal  to  that  which  has 
immortalized  the  Spartan  mothers,  and  children  often  manifested 


INTRODUCTION. 

a  fortitude  in  suffering,  and  courage  in  danger,  superior  to  any 
thing  in  history.  The  peculiar  warfare  of  the  frontier  was  of  a 
kind  to  nurse  such  spirits.  It  developed  certain  faculties  to  a 
marvellous  degree.  Men  were  continually  indebted,  and  often 
dependant  for  their  lives  upon  their  acuteness  of  hearing  and 
keenness  of  sight.  They  were  also  taught  to  be  close  and  narrow 
observers,  and  to  detect  the  presence  of  an  enemy  by  signs  that 
would  have  escaped  those  less  skilled  and  practiced.  Wonderful 
personal  prowess,  a  capacity  for  the  endurance  of  fatigue,  an  in 
sensibility  to  climate,  and  an  indifference  to  hunger  or  exertion, 
were  required  and  manifested  by  them.  Their  warfare  required 
tactics  o£  its  own,  that  were  to  be  acquired  in  no  school  but  that 
of  bitter  experience.  Every  man  was  as  necessarily  compelled  to 
learn  the  art  of  war,  and  to  obtain  an  initiation  in  all  the  myste 
ries  of  forest  warfare,  by  stern  practice,  as  ever  the  ancient  knight 
warriors  were  forced  to  be  instructed  in  all  the  arts  of  the  tour 
nament,  or  the  "  tented  field."  They  were  as  much  accomplished 
warriors  as  Surry  or  Sidney.  They  did  not  possess  the  graces 
and  the  elegancies  of  war  as  did  those  soldiers  of  song  and  legend, 
but  they  were  as  thoroughly  accomplished  in  the  art  itself.  In 
the  handling  of  the  spear  and  sabre,  in  the  mastery  of  the  rifle, 
they  acquired  a  skill  equal  to  that  displayed  of  old  with  the  bat 
tle-axe  and  sword.  In  feats  of  "  noble  horsemanship,"  those  who 
knew  the  art  at  all,  were  unexcelled.  Putnam,  who  was  frontier 
bred,  and  inured  in  all  the  mysteries  of  forest  life,  when  he  rode 
down  the  precipice  at  Horse-Neck,  performed  a  feat,  that  had  it 
been  enacted  by  Surry,  the  favorite  of  romance,  song  and  ballad 
would  have  made  the  world  ring  with  it. 

But,  perhaps,  for  romance,  no  part  of  the  Revolution  equals 
the  partizan  warfare  of  the  South.     Its  history  is  invested  with  a 


XXIV  INTRODUCTION. 

delightful  and  charming  air.  The  many  details  of  the  contest 
possess  nearly  every  requisite  to  arrest  and  gratify  the  imagination. 
It  only  lacked  the  glitter  and  pomp  of  a  pageant  to  fascinate  the 
world.  The  deeds  performed  were  unfortunately  enacted  in  home 
spun,  rather  than  in  steel,  and  therefore  lose  some  of  their  charm. 
They  were  without  martial  parade,  but  the  mode  of  warfare,  the 
strange  characters  gathered  in  the  bands,  the  wild  forest  retreats, 
all  combine  to  give  them  a  romance  of  their  own.  It  is  with 
peculiar  delight  that  the  imagination  follows  Marion  and  his  fol 
lowers  into  their  fastnesses.  Thek  retreats  were  better  strong 
holds  than  was  ever  the  castle  of  a  Norman  knight.  They  defied 
the  ingenuity  and  the  power  of  their  enemies  to  expel  tfyem.  To 
follow  them  was  to  plunge  into  a  region  beset  with  unknown 
dangers,  and  once  involved  into  its  secret  depths,  the  key  of 
Ariadne  was  needed  to  trace  the  puzzling  labyrinth.  The  herald, 
or  messenger  from  the  enemy  ,  was  blindfolded,  and  led  by  in 
tricate  courses,  through  vast  morasses,  and  by  paths  bowered  by 
masses  of  foliage  the  sun  never  penetrated,  until  at  last  he  would 
be  admitted  into  the  sequestered  area  where  the  chief  and  his 
men  would  receive  him.  And  this  area,  this  camping  ground, 
where  was  organized  the  daring  expedition,  the  sudden  attack, 
and  the  cunning  stratagem,  from  which  emanated  all  the  schemes 
that  held  at  bay,  and  in  terror  the  English  leaders ;  whence  sprang 
the  undying  patriotism  and  the  undaunted  heroism  ;  where  Lib 
erty's  altar  was  erected,  and  where  her  fires  ever  burned  with  a 
hopeful  flame,  and  never  sank  nor  died,  when  all  around,  gloom 
and  horror  and  wretchedness  had  wept  and  extinguished  her 
flame ;  this  noble,  imposing  area  of  freedom,  what  a  grand  piece 
of  nature's  handiwork  it  was !  It  was  a  fit  asylum  for  those  true 
to  nature's  behests.  It  was  her  grandest  cathedral,  where  trees, 


INTRODUCTION.  XXV 

aged,  and  with  the  grey  moss  streaming  in  hoary  locks  from  their 
venerable  trunks,  loomed  up  in  their  mighty  strength,  and  locked 
their  giant  limbs  in  a  huge  dome,  through  which  the  stars  gleamed, 
and  the  sun  shone  in  a  gentle  light  that  fell  like  the  rays  through 
the  stained  glass  of  the  cathedral,  sofcly  upon  the  virgin  moss  of 
the  far  extending,  and  lofty  aisles.  And  here,  in  the  midst  of 
these  scenes,  guarded  from  access  by  impenetrable  thickets,  dan 
gerous  marshes,  and  rugged  defiles,  where  no  enemy  could  pene 
trate,  and  which  no  force,  however  great,  could  destroy — here 
was  the  home  of  patriotism  in  the  South — here,  in  the  free  air 
of  heaven,  sojourned  the  partizaii,  Marion.  The  soft  bank  of 
moss  was  his  couch,  and  truly,  the  couch  of  Mars,  and  nothing 
but  the  domed  oaks  and  sycamores  canopied  his  head.  No  luxu 
rious  ease  intruded  in  to  the  sacred  precinct — sacred  to  the  cause  of 
liberty  and  humanity — for  with  a  Spartan  hardihood,  those  war- 
Hoi's,  in  fair  or  foul,  amid  the  severities  of  summer  or  of  winter, 
clung  to  their  forest  home,  and  nightly  embraced  the  hardened 
couch,  save  when  hurling  themselves  upon  the  ranks  of  tho  ene 
my,  or  rushing  forth  upon  the  beck  of  victory. 

And  glorious  indeed  were  the  victories  achieved  by  that  noble 
hand.  If  the  accomplishment  of  great  ends  by  little  means  be  a 
stamp  of  greatness,  we  cannot  withhold  from  Marion  the  highest 
rank.  It  is  true  that  he  performed  no  single  great  victory,  and 
his  army,  if  it  could  be  called  an  army,  was  but  a  band  of  a  few 
hundred  patriots.  But  with  these  few  hundred,  he  kept  in  check 
the  whole  British  army.  He  was  the  Nemesis  of  the  South ;  the 
sure  and  terrible  avenger  of  wrong.  The  iniquities  of  the  English 
leaders,  and  Tory  marauders,  were  visited  with  a  sudden,  rapid 
and  fearful  punishment.  Their  career  of  bloodshed  was  known 
to  him*  and  their  midnight  expeditions,  marked  by  burning 


XXVI  INTRODUCTION. 

dwellings,  reckless  murders,  with  flying  families  before  them,  and 
desolate  hearths  behind — these  were  treasured  up,  and  shortly 
found  a  retribution.  His  scouts  traversed  ever}7  section,  in  many 
disguises,  often  assuming  as  many  shapes  as  Proteus,  and  hung 
upon  the  routes  of  armies,  and  watched  the  actions  of  men.  So 
keen  was  their  cunning,  so  exhaustless  their  resources,  that  they 
would  visit  the  same  encampment  many  times,  each  in  a  different 
form  ;  creep  into  the  councils  of  the  enemy ;  sometimes  adroitly 
capture  and  carry  off  persons  from  the  very  midst  of  their  armies. 
By  these,  Marion  was  always  kept  informed  of  the  movements  of 
his  enemy,  while  his  own  were  so  rapid  and  so  sudden  that  his 
own  men  were  often  puzzled  to  trace  and  find  him. 

He  usually  set  out  upon  his  expeditions  at  about  sundown. 
He  would  then  ride  rapidly  thirty  or  forty  miles,  fall  suddenly 
upon  some  division  of  the  enemy,  who  were  reposing  in  false 
security ;  scatter  them  before  they  could  form  for  defence ;  con 
tinue  his  journey,  attack  and  defeat  another  detachment  twenty 
miles  farther,  and  ere  the  news  could  spread,  he  would  have 
disappeared  into  his  fastnesses,  where  no  step  could  follow,  and  his 
enemies  without,  would  gaze  in  wonder  about,  as  if  a  meteor  had 
shot  down  destruction  upon  them,  and  suddenly  vanished  into  air 

Their  expeditions  were  beset  with  great  difficulties,  that  only 
patience  and  hardihood  could  overcome.  They  had  to  swim 
rivers,  penetrate  tangled  thickets,  cross  dangerous  morasses,  and 
undergo  severe  fatigues  of  all  kinds,  such  as  prolonged  hunger, 
exhaustion  from  want  of  sleep,  and  often  suffering  from  want  of 
clothing  sufficient  to  protect  them  from  the  weather.  When 
pursued,  and  many  a  huge  army  was  sent  to  destroy  him,  he  was 
more  cunning  than  the  fox,  and  still  dangerous  as  the  lion.  He 
would  as  certainly  lure  his  enemy  into  his  toils,  as  thejj  would 


INTRODUCTION.  XXVll 

attempt  to  follow  him.  He  would  fall  upon  their  camps,  cut  off 
their  provision,  dash  upon  them  like  a  thunderbolt,  in  advanta 
geous  places,  and  suddenly  disappear,  lead  them  into  ambuscades 
from  which  they  would  only  be  extricated  by  fearful  loss,  puzzle 
bewilder  and  send  them  back  defeated,  disgraced  and  utterly 
confounded. 

His  brigade  formed  a  picturesque  and  motely  group. — Their 
costumes  were  formed  of  every  imaginable  kind  and  color,  such 
as  their  own  resources  could  provide,  or  their  swords  capture 
from  their  enemies.  Sometimes  the  contrast  presented  by  them, 
would  be  highly  amusing.  There  would  be  the  huge  backwoods 
man,  with  his  rough  boots  and  flannel  shirt,  mounting  some 
silken  or  golden  remnant  of  an  English  officer's  regimentals,  often 
times  ridiculously  in  keeping  with  his  own  habiliments;  here 
would  be  seen  a  fortunate  adventurer  bedecked  with  conquered 
plumes  and  scarfs,  glittering  by  the  side  of  ragged,  threadbare 
fustian,  there  a  swarthy  negro,  with  naked  feet  and  a  gold  em 
broidered  coat,  or  perhaps  with  lace  and  ruffles,  and  gilded  orna 
ments,  but  hiding  himself  in  shame  for  his  nakedness.  Not  only 
the  men  themselves,  but  many  of  the  partisan  officers,  were  suffer 
ing  from  want  of  clothing,  and  compelled  to  adapt  such  articles  as 
chance  threw  in  their  way.  But  sometimes  they  were  bedecked 
in  vesture,  furnished  by  the  hands  of  fair  ladies,  and  pledged  to 
defend  and  protect  them  to  the  last.  The  whig  ladies  of  South 
Carolina,  were  as  high-souled  and  chivalrous  a  body  of  the  sex 
as  ever  knight  broke  lance  for.  During  the  whole  war,  they  ex 
erted  themselves  for  the  welfare  of  their  defenders,  and  often  by 
their  sacrifices,  or  their  cunning,  or  their  patriotism,  was  some 
signal  service  done  to  the  state.  They  particularly  exerted  them 
selves  to  the  procuring  of  necessaries  for  the  partizan  warriors. 

2 


XXVlii  INTRODUCTION. 

Many  of  those  who  resided  in  Charleston,  by  their  ingenuity, 
supplied  their  friends  from  the  abundance  of  the  British  garrison. 
Notwithstanding  all  those  who  passed  out  into  the  country,  were 
examined,  to  prevent  smuggling,  their  resources  provided  ways  to 
elude  the  vigilance  of  the  guards,  and  to  cany  off  articles  with 
impunity.  Says  Garden,*  who  served  in  the  South,  "  The  cloth 
of  many  a  military  coat,  concealed  with  art,  and  not  unfrequently 
made  an  appendage  to  female  attire,  has  escaped  the  vigilance  of 
the  guards,  expressly  stationed  to  prevent  smuggling,  and  speedily 
converted  into  regimental  shape,  worn  triumphantly  in  battle. 
Boots  have,  in  many  instances,  been  relinquished  by  the  delicate 
wearer  to  the  active  partisan.  I  have  seen  a  horseman's  helmet 
concealed  by  a  well  arranged  head-dress,  and  epaulettes  delivered 
from  the  folds  of  the  simple  cap  of  a  matron.  Feathers  and  cock 
ades  were  much  in  demand,  and  so  cunningly  hid,  and  hand 
somely  presented,  that  he  could  have  been  no  true  knight,  who 
did  not  feel  the  obligation,  to  defend  them  to  the  last  extremity." 
The  privations  of  these  devoted  bands  were  manifold.  They 
were  often  dependant  for  food  entirely  upon  the  uncertain  re 
sources  of  the  forest.  They  were  always  without  salt,  except 
when  captured  from  the  enemy,  and  even  then  this  necessary 
condiment  was  distributed  among  destitute  whig  families,  rather 
than  preserved  for  themselves,  although  the  want  of  it  was  a  seri 
ous  grievance,  and  made  their  ill-cooked  meals,  barely  palatable. 
We  are  all  familiar  with  the  anecdote  of  the  British  officer,  who 
upon  visiting  Marion's  encampment,  was  invited  to  dine,  and  who, 
after  a  surprised  survey  of  the  forest  for  any  signs  of  dinner,  was 
shown  a  few  roasted  potatoes,  on  a  shingle,  which  had  just  been 

*  Major  Garden's  Revolutionary  Anecdotes- 


INTRODUCTION.  XXIX 

drawn  hot  from  the  ashes,  and  were  to  be  eaten  without  salt,  or 
any  accompaniment.  But,  even  on  this  occasion,  they  were 
uncommonly  fortunate ;  they  were  often  without  any  food  what 
ever.  But  with  men  resolved  in  their  course,  confident  in  the 
justice  of  their  cause,  and  united  by  the  holy  instincts  of  patriot 
ism,  no  physical  suffering  could  divert  them  from  their  purposes, 
or  dampen  their  spirit. 

In  these  various  phases  of  our  great  National  contest  exist  the 
romance  which  the  editor  of  this  volume  has  endeavored  to 
glean  and  present  to  the  American  public.  There  can  scarcely 
be  found  a  period  in  any  history,  so  replete  with  variety  of  interest 
as  is  presented  by  this  era.  In  the  border  struggles  on  the  fron 
tier,  and  the  wild  partisan  warfare  of  the  south,  in  the  regular 
army,  in  the  prisons,  wherever  the  contest  was  an  active  one,  we 
find  romance  on  every  page  of  its  history,  romance  that's  wild 
and  entrancing.  It  is  strange  that  this  fact  is  so  rarely  accredited, 
and  that  our  history  is  accounted  dull  and  prosy,  with  all  the  rich 
materials  which  it  affords  for  exciting  and  gratifying  the  imagina 
tion.  But  our  poets  have  passed  over  it,  with  the  (togged  belief 
that  romance  only  existed  in  armor  and  a  breast-plate.  Not  so 
thought  the  English  poet  Campbell,  who  gathered  golden  fruit, 
where  our  native  romancer  would  not  deign  to  stoop.  Assuredly 
there  are  other  passages  in  our  history  as  capable  of  being  immor 
talized  in  song  as  the  touching  story  of  Wyoming.  Let  the 
pages  of  this  volume  bear  witness  of  it.  There  are  many  inci 
dents  here  related,  that  should  go  down  to  fame  on  the  buoyant 
tide  of  poetry,  but  which  in  prose  can  scarcely  be  preserved.  It 
is  the  minstrel  and  the  poet,  more  than  the  historian,  who  have 
immortalized  the  heroes  of  the  past  Achilles  and  Hector  be 
came  immortal,  only  through  the  pen  of  Homer.  The  poet  then 


XXX  INTRODUCTION. 

owes  this  much  to  his  country,  that  he  should  seek  to  embalm  the 
fame  of  her  heroes  for  posterity  to  admire  and  emulate.  Brave 
and  heroic  deeds  have  thrice  their  force  as  examples,  more  readily 
fire  the  heart  with  generous  and  noble  emulation,  when  written 
in  the  glowing  imagery  of  the  poet,  than  when  simply  coming  to 
us  in  the  cold  chronicles  of  the  historian.  Let  our  poets,  who 
would  be  great,  remember  this,  and  say  not,  when  that  which 
follows  in  this  volume  is  before  them,  that  there  is  no  material  or 
incident  wherewithal  to  write. 

The  editor  believes  that  he  has  gathered  a  collection  of  sketches 
which  will  be  acceptable  to  the  American  public.  Assuredly,  a 
history  of  the  exploits,  heroism  and  sufferings  of  our  forefathers 
can  scarcely  be  aught  else  but  acceptable,  to  those  who  are  now 
reaping  the  golden  fruits  of  their  achievements.  He  believes  that 
none  can  peruse  them  without  a  more  vivid  conception  of  the  era 
of  which  they  treat,  and  a  sincere  pleasure  in  the  romantic 
interest,  which  is  proven  to  have  been  wove  around  the  deeds  and 
lives  of  our  ancestors. 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  REVOLUTION- 


STORIES 

AND 

ANECDOTES  OF  WASHINGTON. 

Ox  a  day  in  the  early  part  of  the  revolution,  just  after  the  sun 
had  passed  its  meridian,  an  American  officer  could  have  been  seen 
slowly  wending  his  way  along  one  of  the  unfrequented  roads  that 
wound  their  way  up  among  the  mountains,  in  the  vicinity  of 
West  Point ;  where  was  then  stationed  the  American  army.  The 
officer  was  unaccompanied,  and  as  the  horse,  with  slow  and 
measured  tread  moved  along  the  road,  with  the  slackened  rein 
hanging  loose  upon  his  neck,  his  rider  seemed  buried  in  a  deep 
reverie.  The  scene  around  was  one  of  peculiar  beauty,  the  far 
mountains  heaped  up,  one  above  another,  against  the  horizon,  and 
at  his  feet  the  Hudson  sweeping  on  with  a  sweet  and  placid  look. 
But  the  thoughts  of  the  traveller  were  turned  inward,  and  his 
eyes  heeded  not  the  pageant  before  them,  but  seemed  rather  to 
be  reading  the  dark  and  obscure  future,  or  trying  to  penetrate 
into  the  mysteries  which  surrounded  the  present.  His  thoughts, 
however,  were  apparently  not  disturbed,  but  only  solemn  and  deep. 
It  would  have  been  impossible  for  any  one  to  have  looked  upon 


32 


STORIES  AND  ANECDOTES 


his  calm,  thoughtful  brow,  the  majestic,  but  benevolent  expression 
of  his  countenance,  the  firm  contour  though  sweet  expression  of 
his  lips,  the  mild,  penetrating  glance  of  his  eye,  and  the  noble 
proportions  of  his  frame,  without  detecting  the  presence  of  the 
great  WASHINGTON.  Presently  he  drew  up  before  a  mansion  on 
the  road,  dismounted,  and  approached  the  house.  Almost  imme 
diately  a  door  was  thrown  open,  and  an  aged  gentleman,  in  a 
civilian's  dress,  rushed  forth  and  greeted  the  coiner  with  many, 
seemingly,  earnest  protestations  of  welcome. 

The  family  in  which  Washington,  on  this  occasion,  was  received, 
was  one  he  had  frequently  been  in  the  habit  of  visiting.  During 
the  stay  of  the  army  at  West/ Point,  he  frequently  dined  with  its 
members,  and  with  its  head  he  had  at  first  reposed  confidence 
and  friendship.  But  many  suspicions  of  his  honesty  were  whis 
pered  about,  and  in  some  quarters  he  was  openly  accused  of 
treachery  to  the  American  cause.  To  these  suspicions  Washing 
ton  would  not  heed,  but  having  been  invited  to  dine  with  him  on 
a  certain  day  and  at  a  certain  hour,  and  this  invitation  being 
pressed  with  so  much  over-earnestness,  and  accompanied  with  an 
insinuation,  that  his  appearance  with  a  guard  was  an  indication 
of  his  want  of  confidence  in  his  friend's  fidelity,  and  urged  to  give 
a  proof  of  his  unchanged  belief  in  his  honesty,  by  coming  unat 
tended  to  partake  with  him  a  private  dinner,  Washington's 
suspicions  at  last  became  aroused,  and  he  resolved,  by  accepting 
the  invitation,  to  prove  at  once  the  truth  or  falsehood  of  the  sus 
picions  entertained  against  him.  It  was  to  fulfil  this  engagement 
that  Washington,  on  the  occasion  we  have  described,  proceeded 
to  the  residence  of  his  suspected  friend. 

The  time  appointed  for  the  dinner  was  two  o'clock,  but  it  was 
not  later  than  one  when  Washington  dismounted  at  the  door  of 


OF  WASHINGTON.  33 

his  host.  He  had  an  especial  object  in  this  early  arrrival.  The 
host  proposed  to  occupy  the  interim  before  dinner,  by  a  walk  on 
the  piazza.  Here  conversation  occupied  the  time,  and  it  soon 
became  apparent  to  the  chief  that  his  host's  manner  was  exceed 
ingly  nervous  and  excitable.  Without  revealing  this  knowledge. 
Washington  continued  the  discourse,  and,  while  he  carefully 
avoided  betraying  his  suspicions,  he  skillfully  led  the  conversa 
tions  to  such  subjects,  that  would  be  most  likely  to  cause  his 
companion  to  betray  his  agitation.  So  poor  an  actor  was  he,  and 
so  often  was  his  conscience  probed  by  the  apparently  innocent 
remarks  of  the  commander-in-chief,  that  his  nervousness  of  man 
ner  became  so  marked  as  to  give  the  greatest  pain  to  Washington, 
at  this  proof  of  the  infidelity  of  one  on  whom  he  had  once  reposed 
unlimited  confidence.  The  American  commander  in  commenting 
upon  the  different  beauties  of  the  landscape  that  surrounded  them, 
pointed  out  the  spot  where  lay  the  encampment  of  the  enemy, 
at  the  same  time  remarking  upon  the  extraordinary  lack  of  prin 
ciple  that  could  induce  men  of  American  birth  to  forego  the 
interests  of  their  country,  and  every  consideration  of  holy  patriot 
ism,  to  enrol  themselves  among  their  country's  invaders  for  no 
other  temptation  than  a  little  glittering  gold.  Before  the  pene 
trating  look  which  Washington  fixed  upon  him  while  making 
these  remarks,  the  guilty  traitor  quailed,  but  at  this  juncture,  he 
was  relieved  by  the  sound  of  approaching  horses,  and  as  both 
guest  and  host  turned  to  the  direction  whence  the  sound  pro 
ceeded,  a  company  of  dragoons  in  British  uniforms  appeared  upon 
the  brow  of  the  bill,  and  galloping  rapidly  along  the  road  towards 
the  house. 

"  Bless  me,  sir  ••'  exclaimed  Washington  ;  "  what  cavalry  are 
these  approaching  the  house  ?" 


34  STORIES  AND  ANECDOTES 

"  A  party  of  British  light  horse,"  rejoined  his  trembling  host, 
"  who  mean  no  harm,  but  are  merely  sent  for  my  protection  !" 

"  British  horse  sent  here  while  I  am  your  guest !"  said  Wash 
ington  with  startling  sternness,  as  he  turned  upon  his  guest  with 
an  air  of  command  that  awed,  and  caused  to  quail,  the  little  soul 
of  the  betrayer  before  the  mighty  spirit  that  he  had  aroused. 
;'  What  does  this  mean,  sir?" continued  Washington,  as  a  terrible 
look  gathered  upon  his  brow. 

By  this  time  the  troops  had  arrived,  and  they  were  seen  dis 
mounting  from  their  horses.  This  gave  courage  to  the  trembling 
traitor. 

" General,"  said  he  approaching  his  guest,  "General,  you  are 
my  prisoner." 

"  I  believe  not,"  replied  Washington,  his  manner  having  re 
gained  its  former  calmness,  "  but,  sir,  I  know  that  you  are  mine  ! 
Officer  arrest  this  traitor  !" 

In  bewildering  consternation  the  treacherous  hypocrite  looked 
from  Washington  to  the  men  ;  the  one  an  American  officer,  and 
the  others  seemingly  British  soldiers.  But  the  puzzle  was  soon 
solved.  Washington  had  ordered  a  company  of  Americans  to 
disguise  themselves  as  British  cavalry,  and  to  arrive  at  the  man 
sion  designated,  at  a  quarter  before  two,  by  which  means  ho 
would  be  enabled  to  discover  the  innocence 'or  guilt  of  the  sus 
pected  person.  The  issue  proved  his  suspicions  were  well  founded, 
and  the  mode  he  adopted  for  detecting  the  plot  admirably  dis 
played  his  great  sagacity.  The  false  friend  was  handed  over  to 
the  keeping  of  the  soldiers,  and  conducted  to  the  American  camp 
as  a  prisoner.  He  afterwards,  confessed,  that  he  had  been  offered 
a  large  sum  to  betray  Washington  into  the  hands  of  the  English  ; 
and  at  the  hour  of  two,  a  party  of  British  horse  would  have  sur- 


OF  WASHINGTON.  35 

rounded  the  house,  arid  captured  the  American  chief.  At  first, 
Washington  meditated  making  a  severe  example  of  the  man,  but  he 
yielded  to  the  earnest  solicitations  of  his  family,  and  pardoned  him 

The  incident  which  we  next  give,  relative  to  Washington,  was 
communicated  to  an  old  periodical,  from  which  we  copy  it. 

One  pleasant  evening  in  the  month  of  June,  during  the  early 
part  of  the  war,  a  man  was  observed  entering  the  borders  of  a 
wood,  near  the  Hudson  river,  his  appearance  that  of  a  person 
above  the  common  .rank.  The  inhabitants  of  a  country  village 
would  have  dignified  him  with  the  title  of  'squire,  and,  from  his 
manner,  would  have  pronounced  him  proud ;  but  those  more 
accustomed  to  society,  would  inform  you  there  was  something 
like  a  military  air  about  him.  His  horse  panted  as  if  it  had  been 
hard  pushed  for  some  miles,  yet  from  the  owners  frequent  stops 
to  caress  the  patient  animal,  he  could  not  be  charged  with  want 
of  humanity ;  but  seemed  to  be  actuated  by  some  urgent  neces 
sity.  The  rider  forsaking  a  good  road  for  a  by-path  leading 
through  the  woods,  indicated  a  desire  to  avoid  the  gaze  of  other 
travelers.  He  had  not  left  the  house  where  he  enquired  the 
direction  of  the  above  mentioned  road,  more  than  two  hours? 
before  the  quietude  of  the  place  was  broken  by  the  noiso  of  dis 
tant  thunder.  He  was  soon  after  obliged  to  dismount,  traveling 
becoming  dangerous,  as  darkness  concealed  surrounding  objects, 
except  when  the  lightning's  flash  afforded  him  a  momentary  view 
of  his  situation.  A  peal  louder  and  of  longer  duration  than  any 
of  the  preceding  which  now  burst  over  his  head,  seeming  as  if 
it  would  rend  the  woods  asunder,  was  quickly  followed  by  a  heavy 
fall  of  rain,  which  penetrated  the  clothing  of  the  stranger  ere  he 
could  obtain  the  shelter  of  a  large  oak,  which  stood  at  a  little 
distance. 


36  STORIES  AND  ANECDOTES 

Almost  exhausted  with  the  labors  of  the  day,  he  was  about 
making  such  disposition  of  the  saddle  and  his  over  coat,  as  would 
enable  him  to  pass  the  night  with  what  comfort  circumstances 
would  admit,  when  he  espied  a  light  glimmering  through  the 
trees.  Animated  with  the  hope  of  better  lodgings,  he  determined 
to  proceed.  The  way,  which  was  sometimes  steep,  became  at 
tended  with  some  obstacles  the  farther  he  advanced ;  the  soil 
being  composed  of  clay,  which  the  rain  had  rendered  so  soft  that 
his  feet  slipped  at  every  step.  By  the  utmost  perseverance,  this 
difficulty  was  finally  overcome  without  any  accident,  and  he  had 
the  pleasure  of  finding  himself  in  front  of  a  decent  looking  farm 
house.  The  watch-dog  began  barking,  which  brought  the  owner 
of  the  mansion  to  the  door. 

"  Who  is  there  ?"  said  he. 

"  A  friend  who  has  lost  his  way,  and  in  search  of  a  place  of 
shelter,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Come  in  sir,"  added  the  speaker,  "'  and  whatever  my  house 
will  afford,  you  shall  have  with  welcome." 

"  I  must  provide  for  the  weary  companion  of  my  journey," 
remarked  the  other. 

But  the  farmer  undertook  the  task,  and  after  conducting  the 
new-comer  into  a  room  where  his  wife  was  seated,  lie  led  the  horse 
to  a  well  stored  barn,  and  there  provided  for  him  most  bounti 
fully.  On  rejoining  the  traveller,  he  observed,  "That  is  a  noble 
animal  of  yours,  sir." 

"'  Yes,"  was  the  reply,  "  and  I  am  sorry  that  I  am  obliged  to 
misuse  him  so  as  to  make  it  necessary  to  give  you  so  much  trouble 
with  the  care  of  him  ;  but  I  have  yet  to  thank  you  for  your  kind 
ness  to  us  both." 

"  I  do  no  more  than  my  duty,  sir,"  said  the  entertainer,  "  and 


OF  WASHINGTON.  37 

therefore,  am  entitled  to  no  thanks."  "  But  Susan,"  added  he 
turning  to  the  hostess  with  a  reproachful  look,  "  why  have  you 
not  given  the  gentleman  something  to  eat  ?" 

Fear  had  prevented  the  good  woman  from  exercising  her  well- 
known  benevolence  ;  for  a  robbery  had  been  committed  by  a  law 
less  band  of  depredators  recently  in  that  neighborhood,  and  as 
report  stated  that  the  ruffians  were  all  well  dressed,  her  imagina 
tion  suggested  that  this  might  be  one  of  them. 

At  her  husband's  remonstrance,  she  now  readily  engaged  in 
repairing  her  error,  by  preparing  a  bountiful  repast.  During  the 
meal,  there  was  much  interesting  conversation  among  the  three 
As  soon  as  the  worthy  countryman  perceived  that  his  guest  had 
satisfied  his  appetite,  he  informed  him  that  it  was  now  the  hour 
at  which  the  family  usually  performed  their  devotions,  inviting 
him  at  the  same  time  to  be  present.  The  invitation  was  accepted 
in  these  words : — 

"  It  would  afford  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  commune  with 
my  heavenly  Preserver,  after  the  events  of  the  day ;  such  exer 
cises  prepare  us  for  the  repose  which  we  seek  in  sleep." 

After  the  devotions  the  host  lighted  a  pine-knot  and  conducted 
the  person  he  had  entertained,  to  his  chamber,  wished  him  a 
good  night,  and  retired  to  the  adjoining  apartment 

"  John,"  whispered  the  woman,  "  that  is  a  good  gentleman,  and 
not  one  of  the  highwaymen  as  I  supposed." 

u  Yes,  Susan,"  said  he,  "  I  like  him  better  for  thinking  of  his 
God,  than  all  his  kind  inquiries  after  our  welfare.  I  wish  our 
Peter  had  been  home  from  the  army,  if  it  was  only  to  hear  this 
good  man  talk ;  I  am  sure  Washington  himself  could  not  say 
more  for  his  country,  nor  give  a  better  history  of  the  hardships 
endured  by  our  brave  soldiers." 


38  STORIES  AND  ANECDOTES 

"  Who  knows,  now,"  inquired  the  wife,  "  but  it  may  be  himaell 
after  all,  my  dear ;  for  they  do  say  he  travels  just  so,  all  alone, 
sometimes.  Hark !  What's  that  ?" 

The  sound  of  a  voice  came  from  the  chamber  of  their  guest, 
who  was  now  engaged  in  private  religious  worship.  After  thank 
ing  the  Creator  for  his  many  mercies,  and  asking  a  blessing  on 
the  inhabitants  of  the  house,  he  continued,  "  And  now,  Almighty 
Father,  if  it  be  thy  holy  will,  that  we  shall  attain  a  name  and  a 
place  among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  grant  that  we  may  be  en 
abled  to  show  our  gratitude  for  thy  goodness,  by  our  endeavors 
to  fear  and  obey  thee.  Bless  us  with  wisdom  in  our  councils, 
success  in  battle,  and  let  our  victories  be  tempered  with  humanity. 
Endow,  also  our  enemies  with  enlightened  minds,  that  they  may 
become  sensible  of  their  injustice,  and  willing  to  restore  liberty 
and  peace.  Grant  the  petition  of  thy  servant,  for  the  sake  of  him 
thou  hast  called  thy  beloved  Son  ;  nevertheless,  not  my  will,  but 
thine  be  done.  Amen." 

The  next  morning  the  traveler,  declining  the  pressing  solicita 
tions  to  breakfast  with  his  host,  declared  it  was  necessary  for  him 
to  cross  the  river  immediately ;  at  the  same  time  offering  part  of  his 
purse  as  a  compensation  for  what  he  had  received,  which  was  refused. 

"  Well,  sir,"  continued  he,  "  since  you  will  not  permit  me  to 
recompence  you  for  your  trouble,  it  is  but  just  that  I  should  inform 
you,  on  whom  you  have  conferred  so  many  obligations,  and  also 
add  to  them  by  requesting  your  assistance  to  cross  the  river.  I 
had  been  out  yesterday,  endeavoring  to  obtain  some  information 
respecting  our  enemy,  and.  being  alone,  ventured  too  far  from  the 
camp.  On  my  return,  I  was  surprised  by  a  foraging  party,  and 
only  escaped  by  my  knowledge  of  the  woods,  and  tli£  fleetness 
of  my  horse.  My  name  is  George  Washington." 


OF  WASHINGTON.  39 

Surprise  kept  the  listner  silent  for  a  moment ;  then,  after  un 
successfully  repeating  the  invitation  to  partake  of  some  refresh 
ment,  he  hastened  to  call  two  negroes,  with  whose  assistance  he 
placed  the  horse  on  a  small  raft  of  timber  that  was  lying  on  the 
river,  near  the  door,  and  soon  conveyed  the  general  to  the  oppo 
site  side  of  the  river,  where  he  left  him  to  pursue  his  way  to  the 
camp,  wishing  him  a  safe  and  prosperous  journey.  On  his  return 
to  the  house,  he  found  that  while  he  was  engaged  in  making 
preparations  for  conveying  the  horse  across  the  river,  his  illus 
trious  visitor  had  persuaded  his  wife  to  accept  a  token  of  remem 
brance,  which  the  descendants  of  the  worthy  couple  are  proud  of 
exhibiting  to  this  day. 

"  In  the  summer  of  1*776,  when  the  American  army  was  in  New 
York,  a  young  girl  of  the  city  went  to  her  lover,  one  Francis, 
and  communicated  to  him,  as  a  secret  she  had  overheard,  a  plan 
that  was  in  operation  among  the  government  men  to  destroy  the 
American  commander-in-chief,  by  poison,  which  was  to  be  plenti 
fully  mingled  with  his  green-peas,  a  favorite  vegetable  of  his,  on 
the  following  day  at  Richmond  Hill  head  quarters,  where  he  was 
to  dine.  Francis,  who  was  a  thorough  whig,  although  supposed 
to  be  friendly  to  the  royalists,  went  immediately  to  Washington 
and  acquainted  him  with  this  diabolical  plan  for  his  destruction. 
Washington  having  listened  with  attention,  said : 

"  My  friend,  I  thank  you ;  your  fidelity  has  saved  my  life,  to 
what  reserve  the  Almighty  knows !  But  now  for  your  safety ;  I 
charge  you  to  return  to  your  house,  and  let  not  a  word  of  what  you 
have  related  to  me  pass  your  lips ;  it  would  involve  you  in  certain 
ruin ;  and  heaven  forbid  that  your  life  should  be  forfeited  or  endan 
gered  by  your  faith  to  me.  I  will  take  the  necessary  steps  to  prevent, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  discover  the  instrument  of  this  wicked  device." 


40  STORIES  AND  ANECDOTES 

"  The  next  day,  about  two  hours  before  dinner,  he  sent  for  ono 
of  his  guard,  told  him  of  the  plot,  and  requested  that  he  would 
disguise  himself  as  a  female,  and  go  to  the  kitchen,  there  to  keep 
a  strict  watch  upon  the  peas,  until  they  should  be  served  up  for 
the  table.  The  young  man,  carefully,  observed  the  directions  he 
had  received,  and  had  not  been  long  upon  his  post  of  duty,  before 
a  young  man,  another  of  the  guard,  came  anxiously  to  the  door 
of  the  kitchen,  looked  in,  and  then  passed  away.  In  a  few  mo 
ments  after,  he  returned  and  approached  the  hearth  where  the 
peas  stood,  and  was  about  to  mingle  in  the  deadly  substance, 
when,  suddenly,  he  shrunk  back  as  though  from  the  sting  of  the 
fork-tongued  adder,  his  color  changing  to  the  pale  hue  of  death, 
and  his  limbs  apparently  palsied  with  fear,  evidently  horror  struck 
with  his  own  purpose — but  soon,  however,  the  operation  of  a 
more  powerful  incitement  urged  forward  his  reluctant  hand  that 
tremblingly  strewed  the  odious  bane,  and  he  left  the  kitchen, 
overwhelmed  with  conflicting  passions,  remorse  and  confusion. 

" '  Harold  sleeps  no  more,  the  cry  has  reached  his  heart  ere 
the  deed  be  accomplished,'  said  the  youth  on  duty,  in  a  voice  not 
devoid  of  pity,  as  he  looked  after  the  self-condemned  wretch. 

" '  What  Harold !"  said  the  cominander-in-chief,  sorrowfully, 
upon  receiving  the  information  ;  *  can  it  be  possible — so  young, 
so  fair,  and  gentle  !  He  would  have  been  the  last  person  upon 
whom  a  suspicion  of  that  nature  could  have  fallen,  by  right  of 
countenance.  You  have  done  well,'  said  he  to  the  youth  before 
him.  '  Go  join  your  comrades  and  be  secret.'  " 

"  The  young  man  went  accordingly,  and  Washington  returned 
to  the  piazza,  where  several  officers  were  assembled,  among  whom 
was  the  hero  of  Saratoga,  who  was  waiting  for  further  instruc 
tions  from  Congress  before  he  departed  for  Canada.  In  a  few 


OF    WASHINGTON.  41 

moments  dinner  was  announced,  and  the  party  was  ushered  into 
a  handsome  apartment,  where  the  sumptuous  board  was  spread, 
covered  with  all  the  delicacies  of  the  season. 

"  The  commander -in-chief  took  his  seat,  placing  General  Gates 
on  his  right  hand,  and  General  "Wooster  on  the  left.  When  the 
remainder  of  the  officers  and  company  were  seated,  and  eager  to 
commence  the  duties  of  the  table,  the  chief  said,  impressively : 

'"Gentlemen,  I  must  request  you  to  suspend  your  meal  for  a, 
few  moments.  Let  the  guard  attend  me." 

"  All  was  silence  and  amazement.  The  guard  entered  and 
formed  in  a  line  towards  the  upper  end  of  the  apartment. 

""Washington,  having  put  upon  his  plate  a  spoonful  of  peas, 
fixed  his  eyes  sternly  upon  the  guilty  man,  and  said  : 

" '  Shall  I  eat  of  this  vegetable  ?' 

"The  youth  turned  pale  and  became  dreadfully  agitated,  while 
his  trembling  lips  faintly  uttered. 

"  '  I  don't  know.1 

"  '  Shall  I  eat  of  these  T  again  demanded  Washington,  raising 
some  upon  his  knife. 

"  Here  Harold  elevated  his  hand,  as  if  by  an  involuntary  im 
pulse,  to  prevent  their  being  tasted.  A  chicken  was  then  brought 
in,  that  a  conclusive  experiment  might  be  made  in  the  presence  of 
all  those  witnesses.  The  animal  ate  of  the  peas  and  immediately 
died,  and  the  wretched  criminal,  overcome  with  terror  and  re 
morse,  fell  fainting,  and  was  borne  from  the  apartment," 

THE  victories  of  Trenton  and  Princeton  were  the  turning  point 
in  our  revolutionary  war  At  that  time  our  cause  looked  dark 
indeed,  and  defeat  in  those  attempts  would  have  utterly  annihi 
lated  the  last  hopes  of  the  Americans.  At  the  battle  of  Princeton, 
independent  of  the  enemy's  force  in  front,  Cormvallis  had  eight 


42  STORIES  AND    ANECDOTES 

thousand  ready  to  close  on  the  rear ;  and  in  case  of  defeat,  there 
would  have  been  no  barrier  to  prevent  them  from  spreading  over 
and  occupying  every  inch  of  the  country.  Washington  felt  the 
importance  of  the  stake  at  issue,  and  his  heroic  devotion  on  that 
bloody  but  glorious  field,  is  well  known.  The  following  touch 
ing  reminiscence  of  that  ever  memorable  event,  is  from  the  late 
Col.  Fitzgerald,  who  was  aid  to  the  chief,  and  who  never  related 
the  stoiy  of*  his  General's  danger,  and  almost  miraculous  preser 
vation,  without  adding  to  his  tale  the  homage  of  a  tear. 

"  The  aid-de-camp  had  been  ordered  to  bring  up  the  troops 
from  the  rear  of  the  column,  when  the  band,  under  General 
Mercer,  became  engaged.  Upon  returning  to  the  spot  where  he 
had  left  the  Commander-in-chief,  he  was  no  longer  there,  and 
upon  looking  around,  the  aid  discovered  him  endeavoring  to  rally 
the  line  which  had  been  thrown  into  disorder  by  a  rapid  onset  of 
the  foe.  Washington,  after  several  ineffectual  attempts  to  restore 
the  fortunes  of  the  fight,  is  seen  to  rein  up  his  steed,  with  his 
head  to  the  enemy,  and,  in  that  position,  to  become  immovable. 
It  was  a  last  appeal  to  his  soldiers,  and  seemed  to  say,  will  you 
give  up  your  General  to  the  foe  ?  Such  an  appeal  was  not  made 
in  vain.  The  discomfitted  Americans  rally  on  the  instant,  and 
form  into  line ;  the  enemy  halt,  and  dress  their  line ;  the  Ameri 
can  chief  is  between  the  adverse  parties,  as  though  he  had  been 
placed  there  a  target  for  both.  The  arms  of  both  lines  are  leveled. 
Can  escape  from  death  be  possible  ?  Fitzgerald,  horror-struck  at 
the  danger  of  his  beloved  commander,  dropped  the  reins  upon 
his  horse's  neck,  and  drew  his  hat  over  his  face,  that  he  might 
not  see  him  die.  A  roar  of  musketry  succeeds,  and  then  a  shout. 
It  was  the  shout  of  victory.  The  aid-de-camp  ventures  to  raise 
his  eyes,  and  oh  !  glorious  sight,  the  enemy  are  broken  and  flying. 


OF  WASHINGTON.  43 

while  dimly  ainid  the  glimpses  of  the  smoke,  is  seen  the  chief, 
'  alive,  unharmed,  without  a  wound,'  waving  his  hat,  and  cheering 
his  comrades  to  the  pursuit.  Col.  Fitzgerald  now  dashed  to  the 
side  of  his  chief,  exclaiming,  ;  Thank  God !  your  excellency  is  safe,' 
while  the  favorite  aid,  a  gallant  and  warm-hearted  son  of  Erin,  a 
man  of  thews  and  sinews,  and  '  albeit  unused  to  the  melting 
mood,'  gave  loose  to  his  feelings,  and  wept  like  a  child  for  joy. 
Washington,  ever  calm  amid  scenes  of  the  greatest  excitement, 
affectionately  grasped  the  hand  of  his  aid  and  friend,  and  then 
ordered,  '  Away,  my  dear  colonel,  and  bring  up  the  troops,  the 
day  is  our  own.' 

THE  aim  of  the  traitor  Arnold  was  not  confined  to  the  sur 
render  of  West  Point  alone.  He  had  projected  the  betrayal,  into 
the  hands  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  of  Washington  himself,  Lafayette, 
and  of  the  principal  staff  officers.  A  trifling  circumstance  caused 
its  failure.  Arnold  had  invited  Washington  to  dine  with  him, 
the  very  morning  the  plot  was  discovered,  and  Washington  wras 
only  prevented  from  being  present,  by  the  urgent  request  made 
to  him  by  an  old  officer,  near  to  whose  station  he  passed,  that  he 
would  remain  the  night  with  him  ;  and  next  morning  inspect 
some  works  in  the  neighborhood.  Washington,  accordingly,  dis 
patched  an  aid  from  his  suite  to  make  his  excuses  to  Arnold. 
The  messenger  arrived  at  West  Point  the  next  morning,  and 
breakfasted  with  Arnold.  During  the  repast  a  letter  was  received, 
the  superscription  of  which  no  sooner  met  the  eyes  of  Arnold, 
than  he  hurried  from  the  table ;  and,  in  a  few  minutes  afterwards, 
was  on  his  way  to  New  York.  This  letter  contained  information 
of  the  arrest  of  Andre.  In  the  meantime,  Washington,  with  his 
staff,  was  seated  at  the  table  of  the  officer  whose  invitation  had 
delayed  the  visit  to  West  Point,  when  a  despatch  was  brought  to 


44  STORIES  AND  ANECDOTES 

the  chief  which  lie  opened,  read,  and  laid  down  without  com 
ment.  No  alteration  was  visible  in  his  countenance,  but  he  re 
mained  perfectly  silent.  After  some  minutes,  he  beckoned  to 
Lafayette,  arose  from  the  ^able,  and  followed  by  the  young 
Frenchman,  proceeded  to  an  inner  apartment,  where  he  placed 
the  fatal  despatch,  which  revealed  the  perfidy  of  Arnold  in  his 
hands,  and,  then  giving  way  to  an  uncontrolable  burst  of  feeling — 
fell  on  his  friend's  neck  and  wept  aloud.  "  I  believe,"  said  La 
fayette,  "  this  was  the  only  occasion  throughout  that  long  and 
sometimes  hopeless  struggle,  that  Washington  ever  gave  way, 
even  for  a  moment,  under  a  reverse  of  fortune ;  and,  perhaps,  I 
was  the  only  human  being  who  ever  witnessed  in  him  an  exhibi 
tion  of  feeling  so  foreign  to  his  temperament.  As  it  was,  he 
recovered  himself,  before  I  had  perused  the  communication  that 
gave  rise  to  his  emotion ;  and  when  we  returned  to  his  staff,  not 
a  trace  remained  on  his  countenance  either  of  grief  or  despon 
dency."  So  true  it  is,  that  of  all  human  reverses,  the  betrayal  of 
confidence  on  the  part  of  one  who  has  been  implicitly  trusted,  is, 
to  a  generous  nature,  the  hardest  and  bitterest  to  bear.* 

OF  the  coolness  of  Washington  numerous  instances  are  given. 
At  one  time  while  standing  with  his  aids  in  a  situation  where  he 
was  exposed  to  the  musketry  and  cannons  of  the  whole  British 
line,  Col.  Cobb  said  to  him,  "  Sir,  you  are  too  much  exposed  here. 
Had  you  not  better  step  a  little  back  ?"  "  Colonel  Cobb,"  replied 
he,  "  if  you  are  afraid,  you  have  liberty  to  move  back." 

At  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  while  Washington  was  personally 
engaged  in  forming  the  line  of  the  main  body,  a  cannon  ball 

*  Robert  Dale  Owen.  The  above  anecdote  which  does  not  appear  in  any 
history,  was  related  by  Lafayette  himself  to  Mr.  Owen,  while  on  a  visit  to 
Paris,  and  recounted  by  him  in  a  speech  delivered  in  Indiana,  in  1840. 


OF  WASHINGTON.  45 

from  the  enemy  struck  at  his  horses  feet,  throwing  the  dirt  in  his 
face,  and  over  his  clothes.  The  general  continued  giving  his 
orders,  without  noticing  the  derangement  of  his  toilet 

On  another  occasion,  while  Mr.  Evans,  one  of  the  chaplains  of 
the  army,  was  standing  near  the  general,  a  shot  struck  the  ground 
so  near  as  to  cover  his  hat  with  sand.  Somewhat  agitated,  he  took 
off  his  hat  and  said,  "  see  here  General."  "  Mr.  Evans,"  rejoined 
Washington  with  his  usual  composure,  "  you  had  better  carry 
that  home,  and  show  it  to  your  wife  and  children." 

Major  Ferguson,  who  commanded  one  of  the  enemy's  rifle 
corps,  thus  describes  an  incident,  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  which  oc 
curred  just  previous  to  the  battle  of  Brandywine.  "  We  had  not 
lain  long,  when  a  rebel  officer,  remarkable  by  a  hussar  dress, 
pressed  toward  our  army,  within  a  hundred  yards  of  my  right 
flank,  not  perceiving  us.  He  was  followed  by  another,  dressed  in 
dark  green  and  blue,  mounted  on  a  bay  horse,  with  a  remarkable 
high  cocked  hat.  I  ordered  three  good  shots  to  steal  near,  and 
fire  at  them ;  but  the  idea  disgusting  me,  I  recalled  the  order. 
The  hussar,  in  returning,  made  a  circuit,  but  he  passed  within 
a  hundred  yards  of  us ;  upon  which  I  advanced  from  the  woods 
towards  him.  Upon  my  calling,  he  stopped ;  but,  after  looking 
at  me,  proceeded.  I  again  drew  his  attention,  and  made  signs  to 
him  to  stop,  levelling  my  piece  at  him ;  but  he  slowly  cantered 
away.  By  quick  firing,  I  could  have  lodged  half  a  dozen  of  balls 
in  or  about  him,  before  he  was  out  of  my  reach.  I  had  only  to 
determine ;  but  it  was  not  pleasant  to  fire  at  the  back  of  an  unof 
fending  individual,  who  was  very  cooly  acquitting  himself  of  his 
duty ;  so  I  let  it  alone. 

"  The  next  day,  the  surgeon  told  me  that  the  wounded  rebel 
officers  informed  him  that  General  Washington  was  all  the 


46  ADVENTURES 

morning  with  the  light  troops,  and  only  attended  by  a  French 
officer  in  the  hussar  dress,  he  himself  dressed  and  mounted  as  I 
have  before  described.  I  am  not  sorry  that  I  did  not  know  who 
it  was  at  the  time." 


ADVENTURES  OF  MARION. 

THERE  are  but  few  characters  in  the  history  of  the  war  of  the 
revolution,  that  can  be  looked  upon  with  more  unqualified  respect 
and  admiration,  than  that  of  Francis  Marion.  It  is  impossible  to 
point  out  a  weakness  or  failing  in  his  public  acts ;  no  emergen 
cies  were  too  great  for  his  resources,  and  no  temptations  or  suffer 
ing  too  much  for  his  integrity.  His  patriotism  never  waned  low, 
and  his  devotion  to  his  country  was  never  crossed  by  one  selfish 
consideration.  His  career,  however,  does  not  simply  appeal  to 
our  judgment,  nor  only  enlist  our  commendation  ;  it  is  invested 
with  a  romance  peculiarly  delightful  to  the  imagination.  We  are 
charmed  by  the  details  of  his  camp,  and  follow  his  enterprises 
with  all  the  entrancing  interest  we  would  feel  for  the  exploits  of 
a  favorite  character  in  fiction.  But  unfortunately,  sometimes, 
when  our  interest  is  most  excited,  the  details  are  most  meagre  ; 
often  when  we  would  hang  over  the  glowing  page  with  pleasure, 
the  record  fails  and  our  imagination  alone  can  fill  up  the  sketch. 
It  is  a  source  of  regret,  which  time  will  rather  enhance  than  re 
move,  that  history  is  so  dry  and  unsatisfactory  in  reference  to 
Marion.  Of  all  the  American  leaders,  the  career  of  Marion  would 
have  afforded  the  most  romantic  aud  thrilling  interest.  Able 
biographers,  however,  have,  of  late  years,  gathered  together  all  the 
knowledge  of  Marion  which  their  industry  could  effect,  which, 


OF  MARION.  47 

while  we  regret  it  is  no  more  than  it  is,  is  sufficiently  full  to  enable 
us  to  appreciate  his  character  and  services. 

In  the  gallant  and  heroic  defence  of  Fort  Moultrie,  he  took  an 
honorable  part,  and  the  last  gun  fired  on  that  day,  was  directed 
by  him.  In  the  surrender  of  Charleston,  he  was  saved  from  cap 
tivity  by  an  accident  which  occured  to  him  during  the  seige.  He 
was  dining  with  some  friends,  when  the  host,  after  the  manner 
of  the  mistaken  hospitality  of  the  time,  locked  the  door  upon  his 
guests  until  they  should  be  gorged  with  wine.  Marion,  who  was 
a  man  of  abstemious  habits,  and  not  willing  to  offend  his  host  by 
raising  a  disturbance  with  his  half-tipsy  companions,  cooly  threw 
up  the  window  and  flung  himself  to  the  street  below.  The  room 
was  on  the  second  story,  the  height  considerable,  and  the  result 
was  a  broken  ankle.  This  severe  injury  totally  unfitted  him  for 
action,'  and  he  was  removed  from  the  city  in  accordance  with  the 
orders  for  the  departure  of  our  officers  unfit  for  duty. 

After  the  surrender  of  Charleston,  the  county  adjoining  was 
overrun  by  British  troops,  while  there  was  no  one  to  head  a  resis 
tance  against  them.  Moultrie  and  others  were  prisoners  of  war, 
while  Sumpter,  Gov.  Rutledge,  and  llorry  flew  to  the  north  in 
order  to  stimulate  the  energies  of  the  people  in  that  quarter,  and 
gain  recruits. 

"  Marion,  meanwhile,  incapable  of  present  flight,  was  compelled 
to  take  refuge  in  the  swamp  and  forest.  He  was  too  conspicuous 
a  person,  had  made  too  great  a  figure  in  previous  campaigns,  and 
his  military  talents  were  too  well  known  and  too  highly  esteemed, 
not  to  render  him  an  object  of  some  anxiety  as  well  to  friends  as 
foes.  Still  suffering  from  the  hurts  received  in  Charleston,  with 
bloody  and  malignant  enemies  all  around  him,  his  safety  depended 
on  his  secrecy  and  obscurity  alone.  Fortunately  he  had  "  won 


48  ADVENTURES 

golden  opinions  from  all  sorts  of  people."  He  had  friends  among 
all  classes,  who  did  not  permit  themselves  to  sleep  while  he  was 
in  danger.  Their  activity  supplied  the  loss  of  his  own.  They 
watched  while  he  slept.  They  assisted  his  feebleness.  In  the 
moment  of  alarm,  he  was  sped  from  house  to  house,  from  tree  to 
thicket,  from  the  thicket  to  the  swamp.  His  "hair-breadth 
'scapes"  under  these  frequent  exigencies,  were  no  doubt  among 
the  most  interesting  adventures  of  his  life,  furnishing  rare  mate 
rial,  could  they  be  procured,  for  the  poet  and  romancer.  Unhap 
pily,  while  the  chronicles  show  the  frequent  emergency  which 
attended  his  painful  condition,  they  furnish  nothing  more.  We 
are  without  details.  The  melancholy  baldness  and  coldness  with 
which  they  narrate  events  upon  which  one  would  like  to  linger,  are 
absolutely  humbling  to  the  imagination ;  which,  kindled  by  the 
simple  historical  outline,  looks  in  vain  for  the  satisfaction  of  those 
doubts  and  inquiries,  those  hopes  and  fears,  which  the  provoking 
narrative  inspires  only  to  defraud.  How  would  some  old  inquisi 
tive -Froissart  have  dragged,  by  frequent  inquiry  from  contempo 
raneous  lips,  the  particular  fact,  the  whole  adventure,  step  by 
step,  item  by  item, — the  close  pursuit,  the  narrow  escape, — and 
all  the  long  train  of  little,  but  efficient  circumstances,  by  which 
the  stoiy  would  have  been  made  unique,  with  all  its  rich  and  nu 
merous  details!  These,  the  reader  must  supply  from  his  own 
resources  of  imagination.  He  must  conjecture  for  himself  the 
casual  warning  brought  to  the  silent  thicket,  by  the  devoted 
friend,  the  constant  woman,  or  the  humble  slave ;  the  midnight 
bay  of  the  watch-dog  or  the  whistle  of  the  scout ;  or  the  sudden 
shot,  from  friend  or  foe,  by  which  the  fugitive  is  counselled  to 
hurry  to  his  den.  A  thousand  events  arise  to  the  imagination  as 
likely  to  have  occurred  to  our  partisan,  in  his  hour  of  feebleness 


OF  MARION.  49 

and  danger,  from  the  rapid  cavalry  of  Tarletoii,  or  the  close  and 
keen  pursuit  of  the  revengeful  Tories.  To  what  slight  circum 
stances  has  he  been  indebted  for  his  frequent  escape !  What 
humble  agents  have  been  commissioned  by  Providence  to  save  a 
life,  that  was  destined  to  be  so  precious  to  his  country's  liberties!" 

After  the  restoration  of  his  health,  Marion  formed  his  celebra 
ted  brigade.  Then  commenced  that  species  of  partisan  warfare, 
which  the  English  in  vain  endeavored  to  crush,  and  which  kept 
alive  the  spirit  of  patriotism  in  the  South.  His  name  became 
the  terror  of  the  British  and  Tories.  His  mode  of  warfare  has 
been  described  in  an  earlier  part  of  this  work ;  our  present  sketch 
is  merely  to  present  some  personal  anecdote  and  adventure. 

Marion,  who  was  of  diminutive  stature,  and  his  person  uncom 
monly  light,  placed  little  dependence  on  his  personal  prowess.  It 
is  related  of  him  that,  on  one  occasion,  when  he  went  to  draw  his 
sword,  he  could  not  because  of  the  rust  Certainly  a  rich  inci 
dent  in  the  life  of  one  whose  career  was  so  active,  but  it  proves  to 
us  that  his  successes  were  obtained  by  the  strong  power  of  intel 
lect,  and  that  he  ruled  his  rough,  undisciplined  men,  many  of 
whom  were  giants  in  strength,  and  confirmed  in  obstinacy,  by  the 
mere  exercise  of  moral  force.  He  always  rode  a  high-spirited 
horse,  one  of  the  most  powerful  chargers  the  south  could  produce. 
When  pursuing  nothing  could  escape,  and  when  retreating,  noth 
ing  could  overtake  him. 

"  Being  once  nearly  surrounded  by  a  party  of  British  dragoons, 
he  was  compelled,  for  safety,  to  pass  into  a  corn-field,  by  leaping 
the  fence.  This  field,  marked  with  a  considerable  descent  of  sur 
face,  had  been  in  fact,  a  marsh.  Marion  entered  it  at  the  upper 
side.  The  dragoons  in  chase  leapt  the  fence  also,  and  were  but 
a  short  distance  behind  him.  So  completely  was  he  now  in  their 


50  ADVENTURES 

power,  that  his  only  mode  of  escape,  was  to  pass  over  the  fence 
at  the  lower  side.  But  here  lay  a  difficulty,  which,  to  all  but 
himself,  appeared  insurmountable.  To  drain  the  ground  of  its 
superfluous  waters,  a  trench  had  been  cut  around  this  part  of  the 
field,  four  feet  wide,  and  of  the  same  depth.  Of  the  mud  and 
clay,  removed  in  cutting  it,  a  bank  had  been  formed,  on  its  inner 
side,  and  on  top  of  this,  was  erected  a  fence.  The  elevation  of 
the  whole  amounted  to  more  than  seven  feet,  a  ditch  four  feet  in 
width,  running  parallel  with  it,  on  the  outside,  and  a  foot  or  more 
of  space  intervening  between  the  fence  and  the  ditch.  The  dra 
goons,  acquainted  with  the  nature  and  extent  of  this  obstacle, 
and  considering  it  impossible  for  their  enemy  to  pass  it,  pressed 
towards  him,  with  shouts  of  exultation  and  insult,  and  summoned 
him  to  surrender,  or  perish  by  the  sword.  Regardless  of  their 
clamor,  Marion  spurred  his  horse  to  the  charge.  The  noble  ani 
mal,  as  if  conscious  that  his  master's  life  was  in  danger,  and  that 
on  his  exertion  depended  its  safety,  approached  the  barrier  in  his 
finest  style,  and  with  a  bound  that  was  almost  supernatural,  com 
pletely  cleared  the  fence  and  ditch,  and  recovered  himself  without 
injury,  on  the  other  side.  Marion,  immediately,  faced  his  pursuers, 
discharged  his  pistols  at  them,  but  without  effect,  and  then  bid 
ding  them  '  good  morning,'  he  dashed  into  an  adjoining  thicket, 
leaving  the  dragoons  astonished  at  what  they  had  seen,  and 
almost  doubting  if  their  foe  was  mortal." 

The  following  incident  admirably  illustrates  Marion's  great  hu 
manity.  He  was  dining  at  the  hospitable  table  of  Mrs.  Moultric, 
when  it  was  whispered  in  his  ears,  that  some  of  Col.  Lee's  men 
were  engaged  iu  executing  certain  tory  prisoners.  Marion  hur 
ried  from  the  table,  and  seizing  his  sword,  rushed  with  all  haste 
to  the  gallows,  but  reached  it  in  time  to  save,  only  one  poor 


OF  MARION.  51 

wretch.  Two  were  already  dead.  With  his  drawn  sword,  and  his 
face  flushed  with  indignation,  Marion  threatened  to  kill  the  first 
man  that  made  any  attempt  to  continue  their  infamous  proceed 
ings.  Rebuked  by  his  words,  and  overawed  by  his  manner,  the 
men  desisted  and  seperated. 

We  alluded  to  Marion's  exercise  of  command  by  moral  force. 
The  following  incident,  admirably  illustrates  the  means  by  which 
he  enforced  discipline  and  obedience,  and  also  displays  his  equal 
powers  of  firmness  and  forbearance. 

"  He  had  placed  one  of  his  detachments  at  the  plantation  of  a 
Mr.  George  Crofts,  on  Sampit  Creek.  This  person  had  proved 
invariably  true  to  the  American  cause ;  -had  supplied  the  partisans 
secretly  with  munitions  of  war,  with  cattle  and  provisions.  He 
was  an  invalid,  however,  suffering  from  a  mortal  infirmity,  which 
compelled  his  removal  for  medical  attendance  to  Georgetown, 
then  iu  possession  of  the  enemy.  During  the  absence  of  the 
family,  Marion  placed  a  sergeant  in  the  dwelling-house,  for  its 
protection.  From  this  place,  the  guard  was  expelled  by  two  offi 
cers  of  the  brigade,  and  the  house  stripped  of  its  contents.  The 
facts  were  first  disclosed  to  Marion  by  Col.  P.  Horry,  who  received 
them  from  the  wife  of  Crofts.  This  lady  pointed  to  the  sword  of 
her  husband  actually  at  the  side  of  the  principal  offender.  The 
indignation  of  Marion  was  not  apt  to  expend  itself  in  words. 
Redress  was  promised  to  the  complainant  and  she  was  dismissed. 
Marion,  proceeded  with  all  diligence,  to  the  recovery  of  the  prop 
erty.  But  his  course  was  governed  by  prudence  as  well  as  deci 
sion.  The  offenders  were  men  of  some  influence,  and  had  a  small 
faction  in  the  brigade,  which  had  already  proved  troublesome, 
and  might  be  dangerous.  One  of  them  was  a  major,  the  other  a 
captain.  Their  names  are  before  us  in  the  MS.  memoir  of  Horry, 

2 


52  ADVENTURKS 

whose  copious  details  on  this  subject  leave  nothing  to  be  supplied* 
We  forbear  giving  them,  as  their  personal  publication  would 
answer  no  good  purpose.  They  were  in  command  of  a  body  of 
men,  about  sixty  in  number,  known  as  the  Georgia  Refugees. 
Upon  the  minds  of  these  men  the  offenders  had  already  sought 
to  act,  in  reference  to  the  expected  collision  with  their  general. 
Marion  made  his  preparations  with  his  ordinary  quietness,  and 
then  dispatched  Horry  to  the  person  who  was  in  possession  of 
the  sword  of  Crofts ;  for  which  he  made  a  formal  demand.  Ho 
refused  to  give  it  up,  alleging  that  it  was  his,  and  taken  in  war. 
4  If  the  general  wants  it,'  he  added,  '  let  him  come  for  it  himself.' 
When  this  reply  was  communicated  to  Marion  he  instructed 
Horry  to  renew  the  demand.  His  purpose  seems  to  have  been, 
discovering  the  temper  of  the  offender,  to  gain  the  necessary  time. 
His  officers,  meanwhile,  were  gathering  around  him.  He  was 
making  his  preparations  for  a  struggle,  which  might  be  bloody, 
which  might,  indeed,  involve  not  only  the  safety  of  his  brigade, 
but  his  own  future  usefulness.  Horry,  however,  with  proper 
spirit,  entreated  not  to  be  sent  again  to  the  offender,  giving  as  a 
reason  for  his  reluctance,  that,  in  consequence  of  the  previous 
rudene&s  of  the  other,  he  was  not  in  the  mood  to  tolerate  a  repe 
tition  of  the  indignity,  and  might,  if  irritated,  be  provoked  to 
violence.  Marion  then  dispatched  his  orderly  to  the  guilty  ma 
jor,  with  a  request,  civilly  worded,  that  he  might  see  him  at  head 
quarters.  He  appeared  accordingly,  accompanied  by  the  captain 
who  had  joined  with  him  in  the  outrage,  and  under  whose  influ 
ence  he  appeared  to  act  Marion  renewed  his  demand,  in  person, 
for  the  sword  of  Crofts.  The  other  again  refused  to  deliver  it, 
alleging  that l  Crofts  was  a  Tory,  and  even  then  with  the  enemy 
in  Georgetown/ 


UK  MAK1ON*.  53 

" '  Will  you  deliver  me  the  sword  or  not,  Major V  was 

the  answer  which  Marion  made  to  this  suggestion. 

" '  I  will  not !'  was  the  reply  of  the  offender.  '  At  these  words,' 
says  Horry  in  the  MS.  before  us,  '  I  could  forbear  no  longer,  and 
said  with  great  warmth,  *  By  G — d,  sir,  did  I  command  this  bri 
gade,  as  you  do,  I  would  hang  them  both  up  in  half  an  hour !' 
Marion  sternly  replied, — *  This  is  none  of  your  business,  sir :  they 
are  both  before  me ! — Sergeant  of  the  guard,  bring  me  a  file  of 
men  with  loaded  arms  and  fixed  bayonets !' — '  I  was  silent !'  adds 
Horry :  '  all  our  field  officers  in  camp  were  present,  and  when  the 
second  refusal  of  the  sword  was  given,  they  all  put  their  hands  to 
their  swords  in  readiness  to  draw.  My  own  sword  was  already 
drawn !' 

"In  the  regular  service,  and  with  officers  accustomed  to,  and 
bred  up  in,  the  severe  and  stern  sense  of  authority  which  is  usu 
ally  thought  necessary  to  a  proper  discipline,  the  refractory  of 
fender  would  most  probably  have  been  hewn  down  in  the  moment 
of  his  disobedience.  The  effect  of  such  a  proceeding,  in  the  pres 
ent  instance,  might  have  been  of  the  most  fatal  character.  The 
esprit  de  corps  might  have  prompted  the  immediate  followers  of 
the  offender  to  have  seized  upon  their  weapons,  and,  though  anni 
hilated,  as  Horry  tells  us  they  would  have  been,  yet  several 
valuable  lives  might  have  been  lost,  which  the  country  could  ill 
have  spared.  The  mutiny  would  have  been  put  down,  but  at 
what  a  price  !  The  patience  and  prudence  of  Marion's  character 
taught  him  forbearance.  His  mildness,  by  putting  the  offender 
entirely  in  the  wrong,  so  justified  his  severity,  as  to  disarm  the 
followers  of  the  criminals.  These,  as  we  have  already  said,  were 
about  sixty  in  number.  Horry  continues :  *  Their  intentions  were, 
to  call  upon  these  men  for  support — our  officers  well  knew  that 


54  ADVENTURES 

they  meant,  if  possible,  to  intimidate  Marion,  so  as  to  [make  him] 
come  into  their  measures  of  plunder  and  Tory  killing.'  The  affair 
fortunately  terminated  without  bloodshed.  The  prudence  of  the 
general  had  its  effect.  The  delay  gave  time  to  the  offenders  for 
reflection.  Perhaps,  looking  round  upon  their  followers,  they 
saw  no  consenting  spirit  of  mutiny  in  their  eyes,  encouraging  their 
own ;  for  '  though  many  of  these  refugees  were  present,  none  of 
fered  to  back  or  support  the  mutinous  officers ;' — and  when  the 
guard  that  was  ordered,  appeared  in  sight,  the  companion  of  the 
chief  offender  was  seen  to  touch  the  arm  of  the  other,  who  then 
proffered  the  sword  to  Marion,  saying,'  General,  you  need  not  have 
sent  for  the  guard.'  Marion,  refusing  to  receive  it,  referred  him 
to  the  sergeant  of  the  guard,  and  thus  doubly  degraded,  the  dis 
honored  major  of  Continentals — for  he  was  such — disappeared 
from  sight,  followed  by  his  associate." 

What  adds  to  our  respect  for  Marion  and  his  followers,  was  the 
patient  endurance  with  which  they  suffered  every  kind  of  priva 
tion  and  hardihood.  During  the  whole  early  part  of  his  career, 
Marion  slept  in  the  open  air.  When  he  took  command  of  the 
"  Brigade,"  he  had  one  blanket,  but  on  one  occasion  as  he  was 
sleeping  soundly,  after  one  of  his  forced  marches,  upon  a  bed  of 
pine  straw,  it  took  fire,  his  blanket  was  destroyed,  and  he  himself 
very  narrowly  escaped  destruction.  The  cap  that  he  wore  was 
shrivelled  up  by  the  flames.  After  this  event,  he  was  even  denied 
the  poor  luxury  of  a  blanket,  the  cause  for  which  his  life  and  time 
was  wholly  surrendered,  not  being  able  to  afford  him  another  one. 

In  other  places  the  reader  will  find  sketches  of  the  exploits  en 
acted  by  Horry?  Jasper,  and  Macdonald,  all  of  whom  served  under 
Marion.  We  propose  here  to  subjoin  a  few  of  the  most  striking 
adventures  and  exploits  of  others  of  his  heroic  band.  The  con- 


OP  MARION.  55 

staiit  employment  which  he  gave  his  scouts,  and  in  them  it  was 
necessary  to  repose  unlimited  confidence,  as  it  was  by  their  fidelity 
and  activity  that  his  own  movements  were  controlled,  taught 
i hem  coolness  and  audacity. 

"  They  were  out  in  all  directions  and  at  all  hours.  They  did 
the  double  duty  of  patrol  and  spies.  They  hovered  about  the 
posts  of  the  enemy,  crouching  in  the  thicket,  or  darting  along 
the  plain,  picking  up  prisoners,  and  information,  and  spoils  to 
gether.  They  cut  off  stragglers,  encountered  patrols  of  the  foe, 
and  arrested  his  supplies  on  the  way  to  the  garrison.  Sometimes 
the  single  scout,  buried  in  the  thick  tops  of  the  tree,  looked 
down  upon  the  march  of  his  legions,  or  hung  perched  over  the 
hostile  encampment  till  it  slept,  then  slipping  down,  stole  through 
the  silent  host,  carrying  off  a  drowsy  sentinel,  or  a  favorite 
charger,  upon  which  the  daring  spy  flourished  conspicuous  among 
his  less  fortunate  companions.  The  boldness  of  these  adventurers 
was,  sometimes,  wonderful  almost  beyond  belief.  It  was  the  strict 
result  of  that  confidence  in  their  woodman  skill,  which  the  prac 
tice  of  their  leader,  and  his  invariable  success,  naturally  taught 
them  to  entertain." 

Gavin  Witherspoon,  on  one  occasion,  while  performing  his  duty 
as  scout,  performed  the  following  exploit.  "  He  had  taken  refuge 
in  Pedee  Swamp  from  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and,  while 
hiding,  discovered  one  of  the  camps  of  the  Tories  who  had  been 
in  pursuit  of  him.  Whitlierspoon  proposed  to  his  four  comrades 
to  watch  the  enemy's  camp,  until  the  Tories  were  asleep.  But 
his  men  timidly  shrunk  from  the  performance,  expressing  their 
dread  of  superior  numbers.  Witherspoon  undertook  the  adven 
ture  himself.  Creeping  up  to  the  encampment,  he  found  that 
they  slept  at  the  butt  of  a  pine  tree,  which  had  been  torn  up  by 


56  ADVENTURES 

the  roots.  Their  guns  were  piled  against  one  of  its  branches  at 
a  little  distance  from  them.  These  he  first  determined 'to  secure, 
and,  still  creeping,  with  the  skill  and  caution  of  an  experienced 
scout,  he  succeeded  in  his  object.  The  guns  once  in  his  posses 
sion,  he  aroused  the  Tories  by  commanding  their  surrender. 
They  were  seven  in  number,  unarmed,  and  knew -nothing  of  the 
force  of  the  assailant.  His  own  more  timid  followers  drew  near  in 
sufficient  time  to  assist  in  securing  the  prisoners." 

The  following  instance  of  daring  is  related  of  Major  James,  of 
whose  courage  the  reader  will  find  another  instance,  in  another  place. 
In  one  of  Marion's  sudden  attacks  upon  the  enemy,  James  distin 
guished  himself,  by  singling  out  Major  Gainey,  the  commander 
of  the  enemy's  troops,  for  personal  combat.  "  But  Gainey  shrank 
from  his  more  powerful  assailant,  and  sought  safety  in  flight. 
James  pursued  for  a  distance  of  half  a  mile.  In  the  eagerness 
of  the  chase  he  did  not  perceive  that  he  was  alone  and  unsup 
ported.  It  was  enough  that  he  was  gaining  upon  his  enemy,  who 
was  almost  within  reach  of  his  sword,  wken  the  chase  brought 
them  suddenly  upon  a  body  of  Tories  who  had  rallied  upon  the 
road.  There  was  not  a  moment  to  be  lost.  Hesitation  would 
have  been  fatal.  But  our  gallant  Major  was  not  to  be  easily  intimi 
dated.  With  great  coolness  and  presence  of  mind,  waving  his 
sword  aloft,  he  cried  out,  '  come  on,  boys !  here  they  are !'  and 
rushed  headlong  upon  the  group  of  enemies,  as  if  perfectly  as 
sured  of  support.  The  ruse  was  successful.  The  Tories  broko 
once  more,  and  sought  safety  from  their  individual  enemy  in  the 
recesses  of  Pedee  swamp." 

During  the  attack  on  Georgetown  by  Marion  and  Lee,  a  party 
of  the  English  made  an  attack  upon  a  small  party  of  the  Ameri 
cans  who  were  in  possession  of  an  inclosure  that  surrounded  a 


OF  MARION.  57 

house,  from  which  they  had  but  a  few  moments  before  expelled 
the  enemy.  The  royalists  were  most  anxious  to  recover  posses 
sion  of  the  ground,  and  their  leader  urged  them  to  the  attack,  by 
exclaiming :  "  Rush  on,  my  brave  fellows,  they  are  only  worthless 
militia,  and  have  no  bayonets."  Sergeant  Ord,  a  soldier  re 
nowned  for  his  heroic  valor,  immediately  hastened  to  the  gate  of 
the  inclosure,  and  placed  himself  as  barrier  to  their  progress. 
And  when  they  rushed  up  to  force  their  way  in,  he  laid  six  of  his 
enemies,  in  succession,  dead  at  his  feet,  crying  out  at  ever}' 
thrust.  "  Any  bayonets  here — none  at  all  to  be  sure !"  following 
up  his  strokes  with  such  rapidity  and  force,  that  the  British  party 
fell  back  dismayed  before  the  unwavering  front,  and  Herculaen 
strength  of  their  single  adversary,  and  were  obliged  to  retire 
Certainly,  this  was  a  performance  not  excelled,  and,  scarcely,  equal 
led,  by  any  of  the  Homeric  heroes. 

The  following  exploit  as  enacted  by  one  of  "  Marion's  men," 
was  worthy  to  have  been  performed  by  Richard  of  the  Lion 
Heart,  and  reminds  us  of  the  incident  when  that  "  Pearl  of  Crusa 
ders"  dashed  up  singly  before  the  army  of  Saladin,  and  by  the 
simple  shaking  of  his  spear  held  in  check  the  Mahommaden  hosts. 
Colonel  Watson,  when  in  pursuit  of  Marion,  came  up  with  his 
guard  at  Wiboo  swamp,  and,  immediately,  commenced  the  attack. 
Horry,  who  commanded  the  cavalry,  was  thrown  back  in  disorder, 
and  the  enemy's  horse  were  following  up  the  advantage,  pressing 
closely  upon  the  whigs  as  they  were  crossing  a  narrow  causeway, 
when  Gavin  James,  a  man  of  gigantic  frame,  and  mounted  on  a 
powerful  horse,  whirled  in  front  of  the  advancing  column,  and 
discharged  his  musket,  shooting  the  first  man  dead.  In  an  in 
stant,  a  volley  blazed  from  the  advancing  foe,  but,  wonderful  to 
state,  not  a  shot  took  effect  A  dragoon  rushed  forward,  but  he 


68  A  ROMANTIC  STORY. 

was,  instantly  transfixed  by  the  bayonet  in  the  hand  of  James — 
another  shared  the  same  fate,  and  fell  beside  his  companion. 
Awed  by  a  single  adversary,  the  whole  column  halted,  when  ani 
mated  and  inspired  by  such  signal  daring,  the  cavalry  of  Marion 
turned  upon  their  enemy,  and  charged  with  such  impetuosity  as 
to  scatter  the  royalists  before  them, 


A  ROMANTIC  STORY. 

AT  the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  in  the  midst  of  the  conflict,  as 
the  two  armies  were  hurled  on  each  other  with  a  fearful  force, 
two  officers  of  the  same  rank  became  engaged  in  a  desperate  per 
sonal  conflict.  Their  swords  flashed  with  inconceivable  rapidity, 
now  one  advanced,  and  now  the  other,  each  bending  the  whole 
thought  of  his  soul  to  the  single  adversary  before  him,  and  grow 
ing  unmindful  of  the  din  around  him.  They  heeded  not  tho 
crash  of  artillery,  the  rapid  clang  of  arms,  the  loud  shriek  of  pain. 
nor  the  wild  cry  of  despair.  But  it  soon  became  manifest  that  the 
loyalist  officer,  though  somewhat  inferior  to  the  other  in  weight. 
was  the  better  swordsman ;  this  the  American  perceived,  and  re 
solving  at  all  hazards  to  conquer  his  foe,  he  beat  down  his  guard. 
closed  in,  clasped  him  in  his  firm  embrace,  and  made  him  prisoner. 

When  the  captor  and  his  prisoner  met  after  the  battle,  it  was 
observed  that  there  was  a  strong  personal  resemblance  between 
them.  They  were  both  youthful,  high-minded,  and  chivalrous 
gentlemen ;  and  a  strong  unanimity  of  feeling  existing  between 
them,  with  a  respect  already  implanted  by  their  respective  bearing 
in  the  combat,  a  familiar  acquaintance  sprang-  up,  which  gr.'idu- 


A  ROMANTIC  STORY.  59 

ally  grew  into  friendship,  and  ended  in  a  sincere,  and  ardent  mu 
tual  attachment,  as  chivalrous  in  its  nature,  as  it  was  romantic  in 
its  origin.  Some  little  time  after  the  battle,  the  American  officer 
returning  home,  on  furlough,  requested  and  obtained  permission 
for  his  captive  friend  to  accompany  him. 

They  traveled  like  brother  knights  of  old,  each  pledged  to  the 
other's  defence,  and  bound  to  consider  all  alike  as  common  friends 
or  common  enemies.  Their  route  lay  through  a  district,  which 
was  the  sanguinary  field  of  many  bloody  collisions,  and  cursed  by 
prowling  detachments  of  tories,  who  exercised  a  robber's  privilege 
of  warring  on  all  whom  it  pleased  their  fancy  to  construe  into 
foes,  or  w.ho  tempted  their  avarice,  or  excited  their  vengeance. 
One  day,  the  two  heroes  were  suddenly  overtaken  by  a  shower, 
and  throwing  their  cloaks  over  their  shoulders,  they  retreated 
under  the  shelter  of  a  group  of  trees.  Suddenly  there  appeared 
on  the  road,  a  party  of  tories,  who  with  drawn  swords,  and  shout 
ing  over  their  anticipated  plunder,  dashed  toward  the  spot  where 
stood  the  two  friends.  The  high-souled  American  resolved  not 
to  fall  into  the  hands  of  those,  whom,  every  instinct  of  his  nature, 
and  every  impulse  of  his  virtuous  mind,  stamped  as  men  to  detest 
and  loathe,  and  as  stinging  aspens  in  the  bosom  of  his  country ; 
and,  the  heroic  Briton,  scorning  the  motives  that  actuated  them, 
and  although  to  make  himself  known,  was  but  to  obtain  safety 
and  freedom,  also  resolved  to  defend  himself  to  the  last,  and  fall 
or  live,  the  friend  of  him  by  whom  he  had  been  so  generously 
distinguished.  But  their  cunning  and  their  valor  achieved,  for 
them  a  glorious  triumph.  With  waving  swords,  and  with  signals 
to  the  rear,  as  if  urging  companions  behind  them  to  follow,  they 
.spurred  their  horses,  and  both  together  dashed  upon  the  approach 
ing  enemy.  The  fury  of  their  onset,  the  determined  vigor  with 


60  A  ROMANTIC  STORY. 

which  the*'  whirled  their  weapons  above  their  heads,  and  their 
shouts  for  their  supposed  companions  to  follow,  alarmed  their 
opponents,  who  offered  but  a  feeble  resistance,  and  then  fled 
rapidly,  leaving  the  field  to  their  victorious  enemy,  whom  they 
outnumbered  by  many  fold. 

With  numerous  adventures  that  more  effectually  linked  their 
friendship,  they  arrived  safely  at  the  home  of  the  American  offi 
cer.  Here  the  Englishman  was  welcomed,  and  in  the  home  of 
his  friend  he  found  those  who  generously  admitted  into  their 
confidence  and  friendship,  one  who  had  become  so  attached  to- 
one  of  its  promising  members.  In  course  of  his  sojourn  here,, 
some  remarks  were  dropped  which  led  to  inquiries,  and  the  father 
of  the  American,  to  the  unmingled  joy  of  all  parties,  discovered 
that  the  two  officers  were  first  cousins.  Their  striking  personal 
resemblance  thus  became  accounted  for,  and  perhaps  their  invol 
untary  and  mental  attraction  may  be  attributed  to  the  same  cause. 

The  joy  of  the  American  family  in  discovering  a  kinsman  so 
lofty  in  virtue,  and  possessed  of  all  generous  qualities,  and  one 
who  brought  to  their  circle,  high  talents  and  briliant  parts,  that 
daily  won  upon  their  hearts,  was  greatly  augmented  by  the  ap 
pearance  of  an  attachment  springing  up  between  the  new  found 
cousin,  and  a  sister  of  the  American.  This  lady  was  amiable  and 
highly  accomplished,  and  charmed  by  the  bearing  of  the  gen 
erous  stranger,  she  soon  yielded  to  him  more  of  affection  and 
admiration,  than  wa^  clue  to  a  cousin.  He  also  was  moved  by 
her  beauty  and  her  many  amiable  traits,  and  thus  they  became 
betrothed,  to  the  unbounded  satisfaction  of  the  brother.  The* 
Englishman  had  as  effectually  been  conquered  by  the  beauty  of 
the  sister,  as  by  the  superior  strength  of  the  brother.  He  was  a 
prisoner,  soul  and  body,  in  tho  conqueror's  family,  Tho 


A  ROMANTIC  STORY.  61 

may  be  assured  that  what  we  write  is  not  fiction,  though  it  sounds 
marvelously'  like  legends  of  knightly  love  and  conquest  in  the 
olden  time.  The  facts  of  the  story  are  given  "by  Dr.  Caldwell, 
author  of  a  life  of  Gen.  Greene,  who  knew  the  parties  when  a 
boy,  and  saw  them  often. 

But  alas !  our  romance  now  becomes  a  tragedy.  The  stern 
front  of  Mars  breaks  in  upon  the  scene,  and  Fate,  with  his  iron 
hand,  rends  the  happy  picture.  The  youthful  foreigner,  has  been 
exchanged,  and  a  summons  comes  demanding  his  presence  in  his 
regiment.  The  duty  is  a  sad  one,  but  his  honor  compels  him  to 
yield,  and  the  lady,  worthy  of  his  chivalrous  heroism,  bids  him 
go,  as  she  would  be  the  last  to  wither  his  laurels.  Never  went 
forth  mailed  knight,  followed  by  prayers  of  greater  loveliness,  or 
accompanied  by  the  blessings  of  superior  beauty.  Their  parting 
was  a  scene  of  woe  and  tenderness.  The  future  was  a  blank 
with  no  lankmark  that  might  show  them  where  to  hope.  Danger 
and  death  hovered  on  the  horizon,  and  gloomy  uncertainty  racked 
the  present.  The  lover  was  to  bear  arms  against  his  betrothed's 
brother,  and  the  two  friends  were  again  to  assume  to  each  other 
the  deadly  front  of  war.  But  they  parted,  duty  pointing  to  each 
his  course.  Ere  the  lovers  separated,  however,  they  pledged 
themselves  to  remain  faithful  to  each  other,  and,  in  the  event  of  a 
happy  reunion,  to  become  united  in  wedlock.  With  mingled 
hopes  and  fears,  the  Briton  hastened  to  his  regiment,  leaving  a 
sad  vacuum  in  the  circle  where  he  had  brought  so  much  joy,  and 
left  so  much  sorrow.  But  his  noble  heart  was  soon  doomed  to 
sink  beneath  a  blow,  that,  at  once,  and  forever,  prostrated  his 
hopes  of  happiness,  and  consigned  them  to  the  grave  where  lay 
buried  his  love.  But  a  few  weeks  after  the  departure  of  the  of 
ficer,  the  young  lady  was  stricken  down  by  an  epidemic,  which 


62  CAPTURE,  IMPRISONMENT,  AND    ESCAPE 

ravaged  alike  on  the  young,  the  hopeful  and  the  beautiful,  as  it 
did  on  the  withered,  and  the  defiled,  and  her  hopeful  page  of  life 
was  closed  suddenly  and  forever. 


CAPTURE,  IMPRISONMENT,  AND  ESCAPE 
OF  GENERAL  WADSWORTH. 

"!N  the  spring  of  1780,  General  Peleg  Wadsworth  was  ap 
pointed  to  the  command  of  a  party  of  state  troops  in  Camden,  in 
the  district  of  Maine.  At  the  expiration  of  the  period  for  which 
the  troops  were  engaged,  in  February  following,  General  Wads- 
worth  dismissed  his  troops,  retaining  six  soldiers  only  as  his  guard, 
as  he  was  making  preparations  to  depart  from  the  place.  A 
neighboring  inhabitant  communicated  his  situation  to  the  British 
commander  at  Penobscot,  and  a  party  of  twenty-five  soldiers 
commanded  by  Lieut.  Stockton,  was  sent  to  make  him  a  prisoner. 
They  embarked  in  a  small  schooner,  and  landing  within  four 
miles  of  the  General's  quarters,  they  were  concealed  in  the  house 
of  one  Snow,  a  Methodist  preacher,  professedly  a  friend  to  him, 
but  really  a  traitor,  till  eleven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  when  they 
made  their  arrangements  for  the  attack  on  the  general's  quarters 
'"The  party  rushed  suddenly  on  the  sentinel,  who  gave  the 
alarm,  and  one  of  his  comrades  instantly  opened  the  door  of  the 
kitchen,  and  the  enemy  were  so  near  as  to  enter  with  the  senti 
nel.  The  lady  of  the  general,  and  her  friend,  Miss  Fenno  of  Bos 
ton,  were  in  the  house  at  the  time,  and  Mrs.  Wadsworth  escaped 
from  the  room  of  her  husband  into  that  of  Miss  Fenno. 

"  The  assailants  soon  became  masters  of  the  whole  house,  except 


OF  GENERAL   WADS  WORTH.  63 

the  room  where  the  general  was,  and  which  was  strongly  barred, 
and  they  kept  up  a  constant  firing  of  musketry  into  the  windows 
and  doors  except  into  those  of  the  ladies'  room.  General  Wads- 
worth  was  provided  with  a  pair  of  pistols,  a  blunderbuss  and  a 
fusee,  which  he  employed  with  great  dexterity,  being  determined 
to  defend  himself  to  the  last  moment.  With  his  pistols,  which 
he  discharged  several  times,  he  defended  the  rooms  of  his  window 
and  a  door  which  opened  into  a  kitchen.  His  blunderbuss  he 
snapped  several  times,  but  unfortunately  it  missed  fire,  he  then 
secured  his  fusee,  which  he  discharged  on  some  who  were  break 
ing  through  the  windows,  and  obliged  them  to  flee.  He  next 
defended  himself  with  his  bayonet,  till  he  received  a  ball  through 
his  left  arm,  when  he  surrendered,  which  terminated  the  contest. 
The  firing,  however,  did  not  cease  from  the  kitchen  until  the 
general  unbarred  the  door,  when-  the  soldiers  rushed  into  the 
room,  and  one  of  them  who  had  been  badly  wounded,  pointing  a 
musket  at  his  breast,  exclaimed  with  an  oath,  '  you  have  taken 
my  life  and  I  will  take  yours.'  But  Lieutenant  Stockton  turned 
the  musket  aside  and  saved  his  life.  The  commanding  officer  now 
applauded  the  general  for  his  admirable  defence,  and  assisted  in 
putting  on  his  clothes,  saying,  '  you  see  we  are  in  a  critical  situa 
tion,  and  therefore  you  must  excuse  haste.'  Mrs.  Wadsworth 
threw  a  blanket  over  him.  and  Miss  Fenno  affixed  a  handkerchief 
closely  around  his  wounded  arm. 

"  In  this  condition,  though  much  exhausted,  he,  with  a  wounded 
American  soldier,  was  directed  to  march  on  foot,  while  the  British 
wounded  soldiers  were  mounted  on  a  horse  taken  from  the  general's 
barn.  They  departed  in  great  haste.  When  they  preceded 
about  a  mile,  they  met  at  a  small  house,  a  number  of  people 
collected,  and  who  inquired  if  they  had  take:i  General  Wads- 


64  CAPTURE,   IMPRISONMENT,   AND  ESCAPE 

worth.  They  said  no,  and  added,  that  they  must  leave  a 
wounded  man  in  their  care,  and  if  they  paid  proper  attention  to 
hun,  they  should  be  compensated,  but  if  not,  they  would  burn 
down  their  house ;  but  the  man  appeared  to  be  dying.  General 
Wadsworth  was  mounted  on  the  horse  behind  the  other  wounded 
soldier,  and  was  warned  that  his  safety  depended  on  his  silence. 
Having  crossed  over  a  frozen  mill-pond  about  a  mile  in  length, 
they  were  met  by  some  of  their  party  who  had  been  left  behind. 
At  this  place  they  found  a  British  privateer  which  brought  the 
party  from  the  fort.  The  captain  on  being  told  that  he  must  re 
turn  there  with  the  prisoner  and  the  party,  and  seeing  some  of 

his  men  wounded,  became  outrageous,  and  d d  the  general 

for  a  rebel,  demanded  how  he  dared  to  fire  on  the  king's  troops, 
and  ordered  him  to  help  launch  the  boat,  or  he  would  put  his 
hanger  through  his  body.  The  general  replied,  that  he  was  a 
prisoner,  and  badly  wounded,  and  could  not  assist  in  launching 
the  boat.  Lieutenant  Stockton,  on  hearing  of  this  abusive  treat 
ment,  in  a  manner  honorable  to  himself,  told  the  captain  that  the 
prisoner  was  a  gentleman,  had  made  a  brave  defence,  and  was  to  be 
treated  accordingly,  and  added,  that  his  conduct  should  be  repre 
sented  to  General  Campbell.  After  this  the  captain  treated  the  pris 
oner  with  great  civility  and  afforded  him  every  comfort  in  his  power. 
"  General  Wadsworth  had  left  the  ladies  in  the  house,  not  a 
window  of  which  escaped  destruction.  The  doors  were  broken 
down  and  two  of  the  rooms  were  on  fire,  the  floors  were  covered 
with  blood,  and  on  one  of  them  lay  a  brave  old  soldier  danger 
ously  wounded,  begging  for  death,  that  he  might  be  released  from 
misery.  The  anxiety  and  distress  of  Mrs.  Wadsworth  was  inex 
pressible,  and  that  of  the  general  was  greatly  increased  by  the 
uncertainty  in  his  mind  respecting  the  fate  of  his  little  son,  only 


OF   0  P.  N  F  K  A  L    W  A  DS  WO  RTH.  65 

five  years  old,  who  had  been  exposed  to  every  danger  by  the 
firing  into  the  house,  but  he  had  the  happiness  afterwards  of 
hearing  of  his  safety. 

"  Having  arrived  at  the  British  fort,  the  capture  of  General 
\Vadsworth  was  soon  announced,  and  the  shore  thronged  with 
spectators,  to  see  the  man,  who  through  the  preceding  year  had 
disappointed  all  the  designs  of  the  British  in  that  quarter ;  and 
loud  shouts  were  heard  from  the  rabble  that  covered  the  shore  ; 
but  when  he  arrived  at  the  fort  and  was  conducted  into  the  offi 
cer's  guard  room,  he  was  treated  with  politeness.  General 
Campbell,  the  commandant  of  the  British  garrison,  sent  his  com 
pliments  to  him,  and  a  surgeon  to  dress  his  wound,  assuring  him 
that  his  situation  should  be  made  comfortable.  The  next  morning, 
General  Campbell  invited  him  to  breakfast,  and  at  table  paid 
him  many  compliments  in  the  defence  he  had  made,  observing 
however,  that  he  had  exposed  himself  in  a  degree  not  perfectly 
justifiable.  General  Wads  worth  replied,  that  from  the  manner 
of  the  attack,  he  had  no  reason  to  suspect  any  design  of  taking 
him  alive,  and  that  he  intended  therefore  to  sell  his  life  as  dearly 
as  possible.  He  was  then  informed,  that  a  room  in  the  officer's 
barracks  within  the  fort,  was  prepared  for  him,  and  that  an  or 
derly  sergeant  should  daily  attend  him  to  breakfast  and  dinner 
at  the  commandant's  table.  Having  retired  to  his  solitary  apart 
ment,  and  while  his  spirits  were  extremely  depressed  by  a  recol 
lection  of  the  past,  and  by  his  present  situation,  he  received  from 
General  Campbell  several  books  of  amusement,  and  soon  after  a 
visit  from  him,  kindly  endeavoring  to  cheer  the  spirits  of  his  pris 
oner  by  conversation.  The  principal  officers  of  the  garrison  also 
called  upon  him,  and  from  them  all,  whom  he  daily  met  at  the 
commandant's  table,  he  received  particular  attention  and  kindness. 


66  CAPTURE,  IMPRISONMENT,  A\D  ESCAPE 

Ct  He  now  made  application  for  a  flag  of  truce,  by  which  means 
he  could  transmit  a  letter  to  the  governor  of  Massachusetts,  and 
another  to  Mrs.  Wadsworth.  This  was  granted,  on  the  condition 
that  the  letter  to  the  governor  should  be  inspected.  The  flag  was 
entrusted  to  Lieutenant  Stockton,  and  on  his  return,  the  general 
was  relieved  from  all  anxiety  respecting  his  wife  and  family. 
At  the  end  of  five  weeks,  he  requested  of  General  Campbell,  the 
customary  privilege  of  parole,  and  received  in  reply,  that  his  case 
had  been  reported  to  the  commanding  officer  at  New  York,  and 
that  no  alteration  could  be  made,  till  orders  were  received  from 
that  quarter.  In  about  two  months  time,  Mrs.  Wadsworth  and 
Miss  Fenno  arrived,  and  the  officers  of  the  garrison  contributed 
to  render  their  visit  agreeable  to  all  concerned. 

"  About  the  same  time,  orders  were  received  from  the  com 
manding  general  at  New  York,  which  were  concealed  from  Gene 
ral  Wadsworth,  but  he  finally  learnt  that  he  was  not  to  be  paroled 
nor  exchanged,  but  was  to  be  sent  to  England  as  a  rebel  of  too 
much  consequence  to  be  at  liberty.  Not  long  afterwards,  Major 
Benjamin  Benton,  a  brave  and  worthy  man,  who  had  served  un 
der  the  general  the  preceding  summer,  was  taken  and  brought 
into  the  fort,  and  lodged  in  the  same  room  with  him.  He  had 
been  informed,  that  both  himself  and  the  general,  were  to  be  sent 
immediately  after  the  return  of  a  privateer  now  on  a  cruise,  either 
to  New  York  or  Halifax,  and  thence  to  England.  The  prisoners 
immediately  resolved  to  make  a  desperate  effort  to  effect  their 
escape.  They  were  confined  in  a  grated  room  in  the  officer's  bar 
racks  within  the  fort.  The  walls  of  this  fortress,  exclusively  of 
the  depth  of  the  ditch  surrounding  it,  were  twenty  feet  high, 
with  fraising  on  the  top,  and  chevanx  de  frise  at  the  bottom. 
Two  sentinels  were  always  in  the  entry,  and  their  door — the  upper 


OF  GENERAL  WADSWORTH.  67 

part  of  which  was  glass,  might  be  opened  by  their  watchmen 
whenever  they  thought  proper,  and  was  actually  opened  at  sea 
sons  of  peculiar  darkness  and  silence.  At  the  exterior  doors  of 
the  entries,  sentinels  were  also  stationed,  as  were  others  in  the 
body  of  the  fort,  and  at  the  quarters  of  General  Campbell.  At 
the  guard  house  a  strong  guard  was  daily  mounted.  Several 
sentinels  were  stationed  on  the  walls  of  the  fort,  and  a  complete 
line  occupied  them  by  night.  Without  the  ditch,  glacis  and 
abattis,  another  complete  set  of  soldiers  patroled  through  the 
night,  and  a  piquet  guard  was  placed  in  or  near  the  isthmus  lead 
ing  from  the  fort  to  the  main  land.  Notwithstanding  all  these 
fearful  obstacles  to  success,  they  resolved  to  make  the  perilous 
attempt. 

"The  room  in  which  they  were  confined,  was  railed  with 
boards.  One  of  these  they  determined  to  cut  off  so  as  to  make  a 
hole  large  enough  to  pass  through,  and  then  to  creep  along  till 
they  should  come  to  the  next  or  middle  entry ;  and  there  lower 
themselves  down  into  this  entry  by  a  blanket.  If  they  should 
not  be  discovered,  the  passage  to  the  walls  of  the  fort  was  easy 
In  the  evening,  after  the  sentinels  had  seen  the  prisoners  retired 
to  bed,  General  Wadsworth  got  up,  and  standing  in  a  chair  at 
tempted  to  cut  with  his  knife,  the  intended  opening,  but  soon 
found  it  impracticable.  The  next  day,  by  giving  a  soldier  a  dol 
lar  they  procured  a  gimblet.  With  this  instrument,  they  pro 
ceeded  cautiously  and  as  silently  as  possible  to  separate  the 
board,  and  in  order  to  conceal  every  appearance  from  their  ser 
vants  and  from  the  officers,  their  visitors,  they  carefully  covered 
the  gimblet  holes  with  chewed  bread.  At  the  end  of  three 
weeks,  their  labors  were  so  far  completed,  that  it  only  remained 
to  cut  with  a  knife  the  parts  which  were  left  to  hold  the  piece  in 


68  CAPTURE,   IMPRISONMENT.   AND  ESCAPE 

its  place.  When  their  preparations  were  finished,  they  learned 
that  the  privateer  in  which  they  were  to  embark,  was  daily  ex 
pected. 

"In  the  evening  of  the  18th  of  June,  a  very  severe  storm  of 
rain,  with  great  darkness  and  almost  incessant  lightning  came  on. 
This  the  prisoners  considered  as  the  propitious  moment.  Having 
extinguished  their  lights,  they  began  to  cut  the  corners  of  the 
board,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  the  intended  opening  was  com 
pleted.  The  noise  which  the  operation  occasioned,  was  drowned 
by  the  rain  falling  on  the  roof.  Major  Benton  first  ascended  to 
the  ceiling,  and  pressed  himself  through  the  opening.  General 
Wadsworth  next,  having  put  the  corner  of  his  blanket  through 
the  hole  and  made  it  fast  by  a  strong  wooden  skewer,  attempted 
to  make  his  way  through,  standing  on  a  chair  below,  but  it  was 
with  extreme  difficulty  that  he  at  length  effected  it,  and  reached 
the  middle  entry.  From  this  he  passed  through  the  door  which 
he  found  open,  and  made  his  way  to  the  wall  of  the  fort, 
and  had  to  encounter  the  greatest  difficulty  before  ho  could  as 
cend  to  the  top.  He  had  now  to  creep  along  the  top  of  the  fort 
between  the  sentry  boxes,  at  the  very  moment  when  the  relief 
was  shifting  sentinels,  but  the  falling  of  the  heavy  rain  kept  the 
sentinels  within  their  boxes,  and  favored  his  escape.  Having 
now  fastened  his  blanket  round  a  picket  at  the  top,  he  let  him 
self  down  through  the  chevaux  de  frise  to  the  ground,  and,  in  a 
manner  astonishing  to  himself,  made  his  way  into  the  open  field. 
Here  he  was  obliged  to  grope  his  way  among  rocks,  stumps  and 
brush  in  the  darkness  of  night,  till  he  reached  the  cove.  Hap 
pily  the  tide  had  ebbed,  and  he  was  enabled  to  cross  the  water, 
which  was  about  a  mile  in  breadth,  and  not  more  than  three  feet 
deep. 


OF  GENERAL  WADS  WORTH.  69 

"  About  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  General  Wads  worth  found 
himself  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  fort,  and  he  proceeded  through 
a  thick  wood  and  brush  to  the  Penobscot  river,  and,  after  passing 
some  distance  along  the  shore,  being  seven  miles  from  the  fort,  to 
liis  unspeakable  joy,  he  saw  his  friend  Benton  advancing  towards 
him.  Major  Benton  had  been  obliged  to  encounter  in  his  course, 
equal  difficulties  with  his  companion,  and  such  were  the  incredible 
perils,  dangers  and  obstructions,  which  they  surmounted,  that 
their  escape  may  be  considered  almost  miraculous. 

"  It  was  now  necessary  that  they  should  cross  the  Penobscot 
river,  and  very  fortunately  they  discovered  a  canoe  with  oars  on 
the  shore  suited  to  their  purpose.  While  on  the  river,  they  dis 
covered  a  barge  with  a  party  of  the  Briiish  from  the  fort,  in  pur 
suit  of  them,  but  by  taking  an  oblique  course,  and  plying  their 
oars  to  the  utmost,  they  happily  eluded  the  eyes  of  their  pursuers, 
and  arrived  safe  on  the  western  shore.  After  having  wandered 
in  the  wilderness  for  several  days  and  nights,  exposed  to  extreme 
fatigue  and  cold,  and  with  no  other  food  than  a  little  dry  bread 
and  meat,  which  they  brought  in  their  pockets  from  the  fort,  they 
reached  the  settlements  on  the  river  St.  George,  and  no  further 
difficulties  attended  their  return  to  their  respective  families." 


GALLANT  ENTERPRISE   OF   MAJOR  BARTON. 

IN  the  latter  part  of  1776,  Major  General  Lee,  during  Wash 
ington's  retreat  through  the  Jerseys,  unfortunately  fell  into  the 
bands  of  the  enemy,  and  was  conveyed  'with  triumph  into  New 


70  GALLANT  ENTERPRISE 

York.  This  circumstance,  at  the  darkest  era  of  our  revolutionary 
contest,  greatly  depressed  the  spirits  of  the  Americans,  particu 
larly  as  there  was  no  prisoner  in  their  hands  for  whom  he  could 
be  exchanged. 

Under  these  circumstances  many  enterprises  were  projected  to 
capture  some  English  officer  of  equal  rank,  l>y  which  means  an 
exchange  could  be  effected,  but  it  was  reserved  for  Major  Barton 
of  the  Rhode  Island  line,  to  successfully  plan  and  accomplish  this 
purpose. 

Shortly  after  the  capture  of  Lee,  the  British  took  possession  of 
the  islands  of  Rhode  Islaud,  Canonicut  and  Prudence,  in  Xar- 
ragansett  Bay.  Major  Barton  was,  at  this  time,  attached  to  a 
regiment,  under  command  of  Colonel  Stanton,  that  was  stationed 
at  Tiverton,  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Bay.  From  this  place,  he 
anxiously  watched  a;:  opportunity  to  effect  the  object  he  had  at 
heart.  In  June  17  77,  he  learned  from  a  prisoner,  that  General 
Richard  Prescott  had  established  his  head-quarters  on  the  west 
side  of  Rhode  Island,  and  the  prisoner  gave  a  minute  description 
of  the  house.  This  account  was,  a  few  days  after,  confirmed  by  a 
deserter  from  the  British  ranks.  Conceiving  the  favorable  op 
portunity  now  afforded,  he  began  to  make  preparations  for  the 
execution  of  his  design.  But  there  were  serious  obstacles  in  the 
way.  The  enterprize  proposed  was  hazardous  to  the  extreme. 
and  its  failure  liable  to  bring  upon  it,  condemnation  as  rash  raid 
foolhardy;  but  then  again,  if  successful,  an  enviable  and  honor 
able  renown  would  be  the  reward  of  those  concerned.  He  com 
municated  his  designs  to  Col.  Stanton,  his  superior  officer,  who 
gave  it  his  commendation,  and  permitted  him  to  select  from  his 
regiment  such  men  and  officers  as  he  desired  to  assist  him  in  the 
attack.  From  an  apprehension  that  his  design  might  become 


OF  MAJOR  BARTON.  71 

known  to  the  enemy,  he  did  not  make  a  selection  of  the  neces 
sary  number  of  men  until  the  last  moment,  and  then  with  a  de 
sire  that  he  might  be  accompanied  only  by  volunteers,  he  ordered 
his  whole  company  upon  parade,  and  in  a  brief  speech  stated  that 
he  wished  to  obtain  forty  volunteers  for  an  expedition  of  great 
hazard,  and  all  that  wished  to  accompany  him,  should  signify  it 
by  stepping  from  the  ranks.  Without  one  exception,  the  whole 
regiment  advanced.  He  now  found  it  necessary  to  make  the 
selection  himself,  and  he  did  so,  choosing  those  whose  courage 
and  fidelity  were  tested*  Several  officers  had  personaly  volunteered, 
but  not  one  of  the  party,  save  Barton  himself,  knew  of  the  object 
in  dew,  but  all  trusted  to  the  honor  and  courage  of  their  leader 

Some  delay  was  experienced  in  procuring  boats,  but  on  the  4th 
of  July  1777,  they  embarked  from  Tiverton  for  Bristol.  In  cross 
ing  Mount  Hope  Bay,  they  suffered  from  a  severe  storm,  but  they 
arrived  at  Bristol  at  midnight.  On  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the 
Major,  with  his  officers,  went  over  to  Hog  Island  for  the  purpose 
of  reconnoitering  the  position  of  the  enemy.  Here  he  revealed 
the  object  of  the  expedition,  and  his  plan  for  its  accomplishment. 

It  was  not  until  the  evening  of  the  5th,  that  the  party  again 
embarked.  Crossing  Narragansett  Bay,  they  lauded  on  War 
wick  Neck,  but  were  here  detained  by  a  severe  storm  which  re 
tarded  their  plans  considerably.  On  the  9th,  however,  it  became 
clear,  and  they  prepared  once  more  to  sail,  with  the  intention  of 
proceeding  directly  to  Rhode  Island.  Some  hours  after  the  set 
of  sun,  all  was  still,  and  the  darkness  affording  them  a  protection 
from  observation,  the  little  squadron  shot  out  from  the  land,  and 
proceeded  noiselessly  and  cautiously  on  its  course.  This  was  a 
very  hazardous  part  of  the  enterprise,  as  there  was  great  danger 
of  being  discovered  by  some  of  the  ships  of  war  that  lay  near  the 


T2  GALLANT  ENTERPRlSB 

shore.  Cautiously  gliding  along  between  the  islanda  of  Pru 
dence  and  Patience,  by  which  means  they  were  secured  from  ob^ 
servation  from  the  enemy's  shipping  that  lay  off  by  Hope  Island, 
they  advanced  rapidly  to  their  destination.  While  passing  the 
north  end  of  Prudence  Island,  they  could  distinctly  hear  the  sen 
tinels  from  the  ships,  cry  out,  "All's  well.*  The  night  was  ono 
of  excessive  darkness,  and  this  fortunate  circumstance,  no  doubt, 
contributed  largely  to  the  success  of  the  plan. 

The  landing  was  effected  without  difficulty.  In  order  to  secure 
a  rapid  retreat,  one  man  was  commanded  to  remain  in  each  boat, 
and  instructed  to  be  ready  for  departing  at  a  moment?s  notice 
When  all  were  on  shore,  the  requisite  instructions  were  given 
and  the  party  advanced  rapidly  in  the  direction  of  General  Pres 
cott's  head-quarters.  The  difficulties  of  Major  Barton's  situation 
will  be,  readily  appreciated.  Even  should  he  surprise  General 
Prescott,  a  very  few  moments  would  suffice  for  an  alarm  to  be 
carried  to  the  enemy,  and  if  so,  the  whole  British  army  would  be 
upon  them  before  they  could  get  to  their  forts,  Or  even  should 
they  reach  their  boats,  if  an  alarm  were  conveyed  to  the  enemy's 
shipping,  their  retreat  would,  with  certainty,  be  cut  off.  It  was, 
therefore,  necessary  to  proceed  with  the  utmost  caution  and  care ; 
and  to  act  with  equal  daring,  prudence,  and  celerity. 

The  distance  to  the  residence  of  the  English  general,  was  about 
a  mile.  The  party  was  divided  into  five  divisions ;  one  to  ap 
proach  the  door  on  the  south  side,  another  one  on  the  easSt,  and 
a  third  on  the  west  side,  there  being  three  doors  to  the  house, 
while  the  fourth  division  waa  to  guard  the  road,  and  the  fifth  to 
be  ready  to  act  on  emergencies.  They  were  obliged  in  order  to 
reach  the  house,  to  pass  the  guard  house  of  the  enemy,  on  their 
left,  and  on  the  right  a  house  occupied  by  a  company  of  cavalry. 


OF  MAJOR  BARTON.  73 

On  arriving  at  Fresco tt's  head-quarters,  they  were  challenged  by 
a  sentinel  who  was  stationed  at  the  gate  of  the  front  yard.  The 
darkness  of  the  night  prevented  him  from  .determining  the  nature 
of  the  party  approaching,  but,  as  they  continued  to  advance  in 
silence,  he  again  challenged  them,  demanding,  "Who  goes 
there  ?"  "  Friends"  said  Barton.  "  Advance  and  give  the  coun 
tersign,"  was  the  rejoinder.  "  Pho  !"  replied  Barton,  as  he  con 
tinued  to  advance  close  to  the  person  of  the  sentinel,  "  we  have 
no  countersign — have  you  seen  any  rascals  to  night  ?"  Almost 
simultaneous  with  this  remark,  Barton  suddenly  seized  the  mus 
ket  of  the  sentinel,  and  charged  him  to  make  no  noise  on  the 
penalty  of  instant  death.  So  much  had  been  accomplished  in 
perfect  silence.  The  divisions  rapidly  advanced  to  their  respec 
tive  positions,  while  Barton  questioned  the  bewildered  and  terri 
fied  sentinel,  as  to  whether  the  General  was  in  the  house,  who 
replied  that  he  was.  The  signal  was  now  given,  and  in  an  instant 
the  south  door  was  burst  open,  and  the  division  there  stationed, 
rushed  into  the  building  followed  by  the  Major. 

The  first  person  Barton  met,  was  Mr.  Perwig,  who  denied  that 
General  Prescott  was  in  the  house,  and  his  son  also  obstinately 
denied  the  presence  of  the  English  officer.  Not  being  able  to 
find  him  in  their  rapid  search  through  the  apartments,  Barton 
now  had  result  to  stratagem.  In  a  loud  voice,  he  declared  his 
intention  of  capturing  the  general  dead  or  alive,  and  ordered  his 
soldiers  immediately  to  set  fire  to  the  house.  At  this  juncture,  a 
a  voice  which  Barton  suspected  to  belong  to  the  General,  inquired 
the  cause  of  the  disturbance.  Barton  rushed  to  the  apartments 
from  which  came  the  voice  he  heard,  and  finding  there  an  elderly 
gentleman,  just  rising  from  his  bed,  he  accosted  him  as  General 
Prescott.  To  this  the  gentleman  assented,  and  declared  he  bore 


4  GALLANT  ENTERPRISE 

the  name  and  title.  "  Then  you  are  rny  prisoner,"  replied  Bar 
ton.  "  I  acknowledge  that  I  am,"  was  the  rejoinder.  He  was 
only  allowed  time  to  partially  dress  himself,  when  he  was  hurried 
off  by  his  captors. 

Meanwhile  a  singular  circumstance  had  occurred.  At  the  wry 
moment  when  Barton  first  gained  admission  into  the  house,  one 
of  the  British  soldiers  managed  to  escape,  and  flew  to  the  quarters 
of  the  main  guard  to  give  the  alarm.  This  man,  in  the  alarm  of 
the  moment,  rushed  forth  with  no  other  clothing  than  his  shirt ; 
and  having  hastily  explained  the  matter  to  the  sentinel  on  duty, 
he  passed  on  to  the  quarters  of  the  cavalry,  which  was  much  more 
remote  from  the  head-quarters  of  the  General.  But  when  the 
sentinel  came  to  explain  the  matter  to  the  officer  of  the  guard,  it 
seemed  so  incredible,  that  he  was  laughed  at,  and  was  told  that 
he  had  seen  a  ghost.  He  admitted  that  the  messenger  was 
clothed  in  white,  and  after  being  heartily  laughed  at  for  his  cre 
dulity,  was  ordered  back  to  his  station,  and  the  guard  went  back 
to  their  quarters.  This  was  a  most  fortunate  circumstance,  for 
had  the  alarm  of  the  soldier  been  believed,  nothing  could  have 
preserved  the  gallant  Major  and  his  band  from  destruction. 

The  whole  party  with  the  English  general  in  their  midst, 
marched  rapidly  toward  the  shore.  When  they  arrived  at  the 
boat,  their  prisoner,  who  had  been  hurried  away  half  dressed,  was 
permitted  to  complete  his  toilet.  They  re-embarked  with  all  pos 
sible  haste,  and  had  not  got  far  from  the  island,  when  the  dis 
charge  of  cannon  and  three  sky  rockets  gave  the  signal  for  alarm. 
But,  for  some  cause,  the  signal  was  not  understood  by  those  on  the 
ships,  and,  by  this  fortunate  circumstance,  the  gallant  band  was 
preserved,  for  it  would  have  been  easy  for  their  enemy  to  have 
cut  off  their  retreat.  Although  full  of  anxiety  and  apprehension, 


OF  MAJOR  BARTON.  75 

they  bent  every  nerve  to  reach  their  port  of  destination,  and  hap 
pily  succeeded  without  meeting  with  any  obstacle. 

When  they  had  landed,  General  Prescott  said  to  the  Major, 
"  Sir,  you  have  made  an  amazing  bold  push  to  night."  "  We  have 
been  fortunate,"  was  the  modest  reply.  The  British  commander 
was  conveyed  as  a  prisoner  to  Providence,  while  this  gallant  en 
terprise  soon  becoming  noised  abroad,  it  was  received  every 
where  with  unqualified  admiration,  and  the  gallant  Major  and  his 
party,  became  the  heroes  of  the  campaign.  It  was  not  long  after 
the  performance  of  this  brilliant  exploit,  that  the  prisoner  was 
exchanged  for  General  Lee,  to  the  great  joy  and  satisfaction  of 
the  American  army. 


AN  INTERESTING  STORY. 

ISRAEL  Israel,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  after  having  passed 
ten  years  in  the  island  of  Barbadoes,  and  amassed  a  considerable 
property,  returned  to  his  native  land  to  enjoy  his  wealth,  and  to 
be  restored  to  the  society  of  his  family.  He  married  and  pre 
pared  to  pass  the  remainder  of  his  years  in  quiet  and  ease,  when 
the  war  broke  out,  and  his  whole  fortune  became  sacrificed.  From 
the  commencement  of  the  struggle,  he  had  resolved  to  take  up 
arms  for  the  cause  of  freedom,  but  his  unprotected  family  en 
treated  so  urgently  not  to  be  left  alone,  and  exposed  to  a  merci 
less  enemy,  that  he  determined  to  draw  lots  with  his  younger 
brother,  Joseph,  to  decide  which  should  become  a  soldier.  The 
chance  fell  upon  the  younger,  and  it  became  Israel's  duty  to  de 
vote  himself  to  the  safety  and  welfare  of  his  family.  He  took  up 

4 


/6  AN  INTERESTING  STORY. 

his  residence  011  a  small  farm  near  Wilmington,  in  Deleware, 
while  his  mother  and  her  family  resided  at  Philadelphia.  When 
this  city  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British,  the  privations  and  hard 
ships  endured  by  the  whig  families  resident  in  the  town,  were  ail 
that  a  rapacious  soldiery  could  inflict.  Each  household  had 
several  soldiers  quartered  upon  it,  who  took  delight  in  terrifying 
and  plundering  its  helpless  inmates.  Such  was  the  condition  of 
Mrs  Israel,  who  was  deprived  of  supplies  and  in  want  of  the  ac 
tual  necessities.  Israel,  who  watched  over  them  with  a  continued 
anxiety,  learned  of  this,  and  this  knowledge  determined  him  to 
undertake  a  hazardous  journey  into  the  town  and  to  smuggle  sup 
plies  for  his  suffering  family.  A  tory  neighbor,  who  professed 
great  sympathy  for  him,  gave  him  the  countersign. 

It  was  towards  evening,  on  a  day  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year 
1777 — that  darkest  era  of  the  American  cause  — that  Israel  ap 
proached  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  road  leading  from  Wil 
mington.  His  large  and  powerful  frame  was  enveloped  in  a 
capacious  cloak,  which  not  only  was  a  protection  against  the 
weather,  but  which  served  to  conceal  sundry  parcels  of  provisions, 
and  a  bag  of  money.  It  was  sometime  after  dark  when  he 
reached  the  ferry,  when  he  was  hailed  by  the  sentinel,  with  "  Who 
goes  there?" 

"  A  friend,"  was  the  reply  given  with  an  anxious  heart. 

"  The  countersign !" 

He  promptly  gave  the  countersign. 

"  Pass  friend !"  replied  the  sentinel ;  and  with  a  beating  heart, 
the  adventurous  whig  passed  quickly  on.  The  main  difficulty 
was  now  over,  and  his  enterprise  promised  a  successful  issue. 

A  few  moments  more  sufficed  to  bring  him  to  his  mother's  resi 
dence,  which  he  found  in  possession  of  several  soldiers,  quartered 


AX   INTERESTING  STORY.  77 

upon  the  family.  Among  them  was  a  fierce  and  ferocious  look 
ing  Hessian,  whose  aspect  was  well  calculated  to  terrify  the  timid, 
and  produce  disgust  among  the  brave.  But  he  was  welcomed 
with  open  arms  by  his  family,  and  their  happiness  was  complete 
from  the  fact  that  the  younger  brother,  Joseph,  was  there  on  a 
secret  visit  also.  But  their  joy  was  of  short  duration.  At  eleven 
o'clock,  while  seated  at  supper,  the  tramp  of  horses  was  heard 
without ;  and  almost  immediately,  there  was  a  clamor  at  the  door, 
and  an  imperious  voice  demanded  admittance.  The  scene  of 
peace  within,  was  instantly  changed  to  one  of  consternation  and 
dismay.  The  brothers  were  frantically  entreated  to  fly.  The 
younger  sprang  up  the  stairs,  threw  off  his  uniform,  and  escaped 
upon  the  roof  of  the  house.  The  noise  below  had  now  become 
furious,  and  further  delay  in  admitting  them  was  impossible. 
Accompanied  by  the  pale  and  terrified  females,  Mr.  Israel  pro 
ceeded  to  unbar  the  door,  when  the  intruders,  headed  by  the 
Hessian  sergeant,  rushed  in,  and  roughly  seized  Mr.  Israel's  arm, 
exclaiming,  "  We  have  caught  him  at  last — the  rebel  rascal." 

With  an  undisturbed  mien,  a  calmness  unshaken  by  the  immi 
nence  of  the  danger,  and  a  consciousness  that  his  brother's  safety 
could  only  be  secured  by  delay,  he  shook  off  his  assailants,  while 
he  quietly  demanded  what  was  meant,  and  who  it  was  that 
dared  to  charge  him  of  being  a  rebel.  The  Hessian  pointed  to 
Caesar,  a  slave  Mr.  Israel  had  brought  from  the  West  Indies. 

The  young  man  turned  to  the  negro  with  a  terrible  look,  and 
exclaimed.  "  Dare  you,  Caesar,  call  me  a  rebel  ?"  The  guilty 
black  hung  his  head  and  trembled.  "  Gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Is 
rael,  "  there  is  some  mistake  here.  My  brother  Joseph  is  the  per 
son  meant,  I  presume.  Let  me  fetch  the  uniform ;  and  then  you 
can  iudge  for  yourselves.  Caesar  come  with  me." 


78 


AN  INTERESTING  STOliY. 


Grasping  the  arm  of  the  black,  the  young  man  k-d  him  up 
stairs,  exclaiming  in  his  ear,  "  not  one  word  you  rascal,  or  I'll  kill 
you  upon  the  spot."  He  procured  the  uniform  and  returned  to 
his  captors,  and  when  its  entire  disproportion  became  apparent, 
Joseph  being  light  and  short  of  build,  while  Israel  was  of  a  tow 
ering  and  robust  frame,  the  soldiers  acknowledged  their  mistake, 
and  the  Hessian  officer  made  some  rough  attempts  at  apologising. 
He  then  impertinently  seated  himself  at  the  supper  table,  from 
which  the  family  had  been  driven  by  their  terror,  and  saying,  "  as 
your  supper  is  ready,  we  will  sit  down."  Mr.  Israel  controlled 
his  resentment,  and  the  family  returned  to  their  places  at  the 
table,  and  patiently  endeavored  to  listen  to  the  coarse  and  brutal 
remarks  of  their  untimely  guest.  The  young  ladies  restrained 
their  terror,  but  still  trembling  secretly,  for  fear  that  the  noble  in 
dignation  of  their  brother,  would  lead  him  to  some  act  of  impru 
dence.  And  indeed  it  was  only  by  a  powerful  exercise  of  his 
self-control  that  he  was  enabled  to  submit  to  his  brutal  and  dis 
gusting  conversation.  He  gave  boastful  details  of  his  exploits  in 
slaughtering  the  rebels,  so  atrocious  in  their  recital,  that  Mr.  Is 
rael  several  times  grasped  his  knife,  with  an  impulse  to  strike 
down  the  savage,  but  the  entreating  looks  of  his  agonized  mother 
and  sisters,  restrained  the  blow. 

"  That  Paoli  affair,"  said  he  continuing  his  recital,  "  was  capital ! 
I  was  with  General  Grey  in  the  attack.  It  was  just  after  mid 
night  when  we  forced  the  outposts,  and  not  a  noise  was  heard  so 
loud  as  the  dropping  of  a  musket.  How  the  fellows  turned  out 
of  their  encampment  when  they  heard  us  !  What  a  running 
about — barefoot  and  half  clothed — and  in  the  light  of  their  own 
fires  !  These  showed  us  where  to  chase  them,  while  they  could 
not  see  us.  We  killed  three  hundred  of  the  rebels  with  the  bayo- 


AN  INTERESTING  STORY.  79 

net ;  I  stuck  them  myself  like  so  many  pigs — one  after  another — 
till  the  blood  ran  out  of  the  touch-hole  of  my  musket." 

The  horrible  story  of  the  bloody-minded  Hessian,  was  inter 
rupted  by  Mr.  Israel,  who  starting  to  his  feet,  with  face  pale  with 
rage,  and  his  eyes  glancing  fire,  was  about  to  inflict  summary 
vengeance  on  the  wretch,  but  his  sisters  sprang  forward,  and  a 
shriek  from  the  younger  one,  who  fell  fainting  in  his  arms,  pre 
vented  the  catastrophe  that  might  have  ensued.  All  now  thrown 
into  confusion,  the  Hessian  bade  them  good  night,  and  left  the 
house. 

Relieved  from  the  presence  so  much  dreaded,  they  now  pre 
pared  for  the  sad  scene  of  parting.  Before  departing,  Mr.  Israel 
summoned  Caesar  before  him,  and  sternly  questioned  the  black 
who  declared  that  he  had  been  compelled  to  do  what  he  had 
done,  and  now  solemnly  promised  fidelity  for  the  future.  He  al 
ways  remained  faithful  to  his  promise.  The  parting  was  a  scene 
of  subdued  anguish  and  pain,  for  the  danger  was  not  over.  Tearing 
himself  from  their  arms,  Mr.  Israel  left  the  house,  and  hastened 
on  his  journey  homeward.  But  scarcely  had  he  arrived  upon  his 
farm  at  Wilmington,  than  he  with  his  brother-in-law,  were  ar 
rested  upon  the  information  of  the  loyalist  from  whom  he  had 
received  the  countersign,  and  carried  on  board  a  frigate  lying  in 
the  Delaware,  directly  opposite  to  his  farm,  where  they  were  con 
fined,  in  order  to  be  tried  as  spies. 

He  was  treated  with  the  utmost  severity  in  his  captivity. 
Several  of  his  tory  neighbors  came  forward  to  testify  against  him, 
and  declared  that  while  the  toiy  population  had  all  come  forward 
to  furnish  their  share  of  provisions  for  the  royal  army,  he  was 
heard  to  declare,  that  he,  •"  would  sooner  drive  his  cattle  as  a  pres- 


80  AN    INTERESTING  STORY. 

cnt  to  Gmcral    Washington,  than  receive  thousands  of  dollars  in 
British  gold  for  them.'11 

When  this  speech  was  told  the  commander,  he  gave  orders  for 
a  detachment  to  proceed  to  the  farm,  and  drive  the  cattle  down 
to  the  water's  edge,  and  slay  them  in  the  full  view  of  the  pris 
oners.  This  order  gave  an  opportunity  for  the  display  of  one  of 
the  most  intrepid  acts  of  female  heroism  that  occurred  during  the 
whole  war. 

The  young  wife  of  Mr.  Israel,  had  been  overcome  by  anguish, 
at  the  fearful  fate  which  seemed  to  await  her  husband  and  brother. 
She  was  but  nineteen,  of  a  slight  and  symmetrical  figure,  consid 
erable  beauty,  and  of  a  modest,  retiring  deportment,  which  gave 
no  promise  of  that  heroism,  that  a  trying  moment  was  about  to 
develop. 

From  the  farm  she  saw  the  soldiers  land  from  the  ships,  and 
march  towards  the  meadow  which  contained  her  husband's  cattle. 
She  divined  their  purpose,  and  instantly  resolved,  to  thwart  it. 
Calling  to  a  little  boy,  eight  years  old,  to  follow  her,  she  started 
for  the  field  with  her  utmost  speed.  In  an  instant  the  bars  were 
down,  and  she  was  hurrying  forward  to  drive  the  herd  through  the 
opening.  The  soldiers  called  out  to  her  to  desist,  or  they  would 
fire. 

"Fire  away!"  exclaimed  she,  neither  fearing  nor  hesitating. 
They  fired,  and  the  balls  flew  thick  about  her,  while  the  fright 
ened  cattle  began  to  run  in  every  direction.  Heedless  of  the  con 
tinued  threats  of  the  soldiers,  she  headed  them  off,  and  drove 
them  toward  the  barn-yard. 

"  Do  not  let  one  escape,  Joe  !"  exclaimed  she,  while  the  bullets 
continued  to  whistle  around  her.  And  not  one  did  escape  !  The 
little  boy  became  so  paralyzed  with  terror,  that  he  fell  to  the 


AN   INTERESTING  STORY.  81 

ground,  but  seizing  him  in  her  arms,  the  heroic  woman  herself 
drove  them  into  the  barn-yard,  and  put  up  the  bars.  The  soldiers 
either  baffled  by  her  courage,  or  out  of  respect  to  it,  did  not  pur 
sue  their  intentions,  and  returned  to  their  vessel.  . 

This  scene  had  passed  in  view  of  the  officers  of  the  frigate,  and 
the  two  prisoners.  The  fear  and  agony  endured  by  the  husband 
and  brother,  while  they  saw  the  peril  in  which  the  wife  was 
placed,  must  have  been  great,  while  they  openly  showed  their  ex 
ultation  at  her  triumph. 

At  last  they  were  brought  to  trial.  Mr.  Israel  openly  confessed 
his  visit  to  Philadelphia,  stating  the  cause,  which  was  to  carry  re 
lief  to  his  suffering  parent  and  family.  Matters  looked  dark  for 
them,  but  Mr.  Israel  having  learned  that  the  officers  of  the  court 
belonged  to  the  order  of  Masons,  and  being  himself  a  member,  at 
the  close  of  his  story,  made  the  secret  sign  of  the  brotherhood  to 
the  presiding  officer.  There  was  an  evident  change  in  his  favor 
at  once.  The  officers  stern  countenance  softened,  and  the  pris 
oners  were  eventually  acquitted.  The  court  severely  rebuked  the 
informers,  for  preferring  charges  against  an  honorable  man,  en 
gaged  on  a  mission  of  love  and  duty.  The  prisoners  were  dis 
missed  with  honor ;  but  the  magnanimity  of  a  verdict,  not  based 
upon  principles  of  justice,  but  upon  a  connection  foreign  10  the 
point  at  issue,  may  well  be  questioned.* 

*  Mrs.  Ellet's  "Women  of  the  Revolution." 


82  A  THRILLING  NARRATIVE, 


A  THRILLING  NARRATIVE. 

THE  following  Revolutionary  reminisence  we  find  in  an  old 
periodical,  where  it  is  given  as  a  well  authenticated  fact. 

In  the  autumn  of  1777,  when  Lord  Howe  had  possession  of 
Philadelphia,  the  situation  of  the  Americans  who  could  not  follow 
their  beloved  commander,  was  truly  distressing,  subject  to  the 
every  day  insults  of  cruel  and  oppressive  foes.  Bound  to  pay 
obedience  to  laws  predicated,  on  the  momentary  power  of  a  proud 
and  vindictive  commander,  it  can  be  better  pictured  than  des 
cribed.  To  obtain  the  common  necessaries  of  life,  particularly 
flour,  they  had  to  go  as  far  as  Bristol,  a  distance  of  eighteen  or 
twenty  miles,  and  even  this  indulgence  was  not  granted  them,  un 
til  a  pass  was  procured  from  Lord  Howe,  as  guards  were  placed 
along  Vine  street,  extending  from  the  Delaware  to  the  Sclmylkill, 
forming  a  complete  barrier ;  beyond  these,  through  the  woods 
extending  as  far  as  Frankford,  were  stationed  the  piquet  guards— 
thus  rendering  it  in  a  manner  impossible  to  reach  the  Bristol 
mills,  unless  first  obtaining  a  pass. 

The  American  forces  were  then  encamped  at  the  Valley  Forge, 
suffering  from  cold,  hunger,  and  the  inclemency  of  the  season. 
The  British  rolled  in  plenty,  and  spent  their  days  in  feastings, 
their  nights  in  balls,  riots,  and  dissipation ;  thus  resting  in  sup 
posed  security,  while  the  American  chief  was  planning  a  mod*1 
for  their  final  extirpation.  A  poor  woman,  with  six  small  children, 
whose  husband  was  at  the  Valley  Forge,  had  made  frequent  ap 
plications  for  a  pass.  Engagements  rendered  it  impossible  for 
her  cruel  tormenters  to  give  her  one.  Rendered  desperate  from 
disappointment  and  the  cries  of  her  children,  she  started  alone 


A   THRILLING   NARRATIVE.  83 

without  a  pass,  and  by  good  luck  eluded  the  guards  and  reached 
Bristol. 

About  this  time,  there  were  six  brothel's  of  the  name  of  Doale, 
renowned  for  many  acts  of  heroic  bravery,  but  which  were  in  the 
character  of  marauders  rather  than  soldiers.  They  were  men  full 
six  feet  high,  stout  and  active,  a  fearless  intrepidity  characterizing 
their  deeds,  and  they  always  succeeded  in  making  their  escape.  A 
marked  partiality  to  the  Americans,  rendered  them  obnoxious  to 
the  British,  and  always  welcome  to  the  former,  to  whom  they 
conveyed  what  information  they  could  glean  in  their  adventures. 

Our  adventurous  female,  having  procured  her  flour  in  a  pillow 
case,  holding  about  twenty  pounds,  was  returning  with  a  light 
heart  to  her  anxious  and  lonely  babes.  She  had  passed  the 
piquet  guards  at  Frankford,  and  was  just  entering  the  woods  a 
little  this  side,  when  a  tall,  stout  man,  stepped  from  behind  a  tree^ 
and  putting  a  letter  in  her  hand,  requested  her  to  read  it.  She 
grasped  with  eager  joy,  the  letter  bearing  the  character  of  her 
husband's  hand-writing.  After  a  pause,  he  said,  "  Your  husband 
is  well,  madam,  and  requested  nre  to  say,  that  in  a  short  time  he 
will  be  with  you ;  money  is  a  scarce  article  among  us — I  mean 
among  them  ;  but  on  account  of  your  husband's  partiality  to  the 
cause  of  liberty,  I  am  willing  to  become  his  banker."  So  saying, 
he  handed  her  a  piece  of  money,  "  my  means,  madam,  are  ade 
quate  or  I  would  not  be  thus  lavish,"  seeing  she  was  about  to  re 
fuse  it. 

'•  You  said,  sir,"  my  husband  would  see  me  shortly  ;  how  do 
you  know  that  which  seems  so  impossible  ?  and  how  did  you 
know  me,  who  never " 

"  Hush,  madam,  we  are  now  approaching  the  British  guard ; 
suffice  it  to  say,  the  American  commander  has  that  in  his  head. 


84  A    THRILLING    NARRATIVE. 

which,  like  an  earthquake,  will  shake  the  whole  American  conti 
nent,  and  expunge  all  these  miscreants ;  but,  hark !  take  the  road 
to  the  left — farewel."  So  saying,  he  departed.  She  gave  one 
look,  but  vacancy  filled  the  spot  where  he  stood.  With  slow  and 
cautious  steps,  she  approached  Vine  street.  Already  her  fire 
burned  beneath  her  bread,  when  the  awful  word  "  halt !"  struck 
her  to  the  soul.  She  started,  and  found  herself  in  the  custody  of 
a  British  sentinel.  "  Your  pass,  woman."  "  I  have  none,  sir ; 

my  children  are "  "  D n  the  rebel  crew,  why  do  you 

breed  enemies  to  your  king — this  flour  is  mine — off,  woman,  and 
die  with  your  babes."  A  groan  was  her  only  answer.  The  ruf 
fian  was  about  departing,  when  the  former  messenger  appeared — 
his  whole  demeanor  was  changed  ;  humble  simplicity  marked  his 
gait — he  approached  the  guard  with  a  seeming  fearfulness,  and 
begged  him  in  a  suppliant  voice,  to  give  the  poor  woman  her 
flour.  "  Fool !  idiot !"  exclaimed  the  guard,  "  who  are  you  ?  see 
yonder  guard  house,  if  you  interfere  here,  that  shall  be  your 
quarters."  "  May  be  so,  sir ;  but  wont  you  give  the  poor  woman 
the  means  of  supporting  her  little  family  one  week  longer  ?  recol 
lect  the  distance  she  has  walked,  the  weight  of  the  bag,  and 
recollect " 

"  Hell  and  fury,  sirrah !  Why  bid  me  recollect,  you  plead  in 
vain — begone,  or  I'll  seize  you  as  a  spy." 

"  You  won't  give  the  poor  woman  her  flour  f 

"  No." 

"  Then  by  my  country's  faith,  and  hopes  of  freedom,  you  shall !" 
and  with  a  powerful  arm,  he  seized  the  guard  by  the  throat  and 
hurled  him  to  the  ground.  "  Run,  madam,  run — see  the  guard 
house  is  alive — secure  your  flour,  pass  Vine  street^  and  you  are 
safe."  Twas  done.  The  guard  made  an  attempt  to  rise,  when 


A   THRILLING   NARRATIVE.  85 

the  stranger  drew  a  pistol,  and  shot  him  dead.  The  unfortunate 
man  gazed  around  him  with  tearless  intrepidity.  There  was  but 
one  way  of  escape,  and  that  through  the  woods.  Seizing  the 
dead  man's  musket,  he  started  like  a  deer,  pursued  by  the  hounds. 
"  Shoot  him  down !  shoot  him  down  1"  was  echoed  from  one  line 
to  another.  The  desperado  was  lost  in  the  woods,  and  a  general 
search,  commenced ;  the  object  of  their  pursuit,  in  the  meantime, 
Hew  like  lightning ;  the  main  guard  was  left  behind,  but  the 
whole  piquet  line  would  soon  be  alarmed — one  course  alone  pre 
sented  itself,  and  that  was  to  mount  his  horse,  which  was  con 
cealed  among  the  bushes,  and  gallop  down  to  the  Delaware ; 
a  boat  was  already  there  for  him.  The  thought  was  no  sooner 
suggested,  than  it  was  put  into  execution.  He  mounted  his  horse, 
and,  eluding  the  alarmed  guards,  had  nearly  reached  the 
Delaware. 

Here  he  found  himself  headed  and  hemmed  in,  by  at  least 
fifty  exasperated  soldiers.  One  sprang  from  behind  a  tree,  and 
demanded  immediate  surrender.  "  'Tis  useless  to  prevaricate — 
you  are  now  in  our  possession."  '*  Son  of  a  slave !  slave  of  a  king ! 
how  dare  you  to  address  a  freeman !  Surrender  yourself — a  Doale 
never  surrendered  himself  to  any  man,  far  less  to  a  blinded  pol 
troon — away,  or  die ;"  and  attempted  to  pass.  The  guard  levelled 
his  gun  ;  but  himself  was  levelled  in  the  dust ;  the  ball  of  Doale's 
pistol,  had  been  swifter  than  his  own.  His  case  was  now  truly 
desperate ;  behind  him  was  the  whole  line  of  guards — on  the 
north  of  him,  the  Frankford  piquets,  and  on  the  left  of  him,  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  tilled  with  British  troops. 

One  way,  and  only  one  presented  itself,  and  that  was  to  cross 
the  river.  He  knew  his  horse ;  he  plunged  in — a  shout  succeeded 
and  ere  he  reached  half  the  distance,  twenty  armed  boats  were  in 


86  THE    STORY  OF 

swift  pursuit.  His  noble  horse  dashed  through  the  Delaware,  his 
master  spurred  him  on  with  double  interest,  while  the  balls  whis 
tled  around  him.  The  tide  was  running  down,  and  when  he  reached 
the  Jersey  shore,  he  found  himself  immediately  opposite  the  old 
slip,  at  Market  street.  On  reaching  the  shore,  he  turned  round, 
took  out  a  pistol,  and,  with  steady  aim,  fired  at  the  first  boat ;  a 
man  fell  over  the  side,  and  sank  to  rise  no  more.  He  then  disap 
peared  in  the  wood.  The  angry,  harassed,  and  disappointed 
pursuers  gave  one  look,  one  curse,  and  returned  to  the  Pennsyl 
vania  shore,fully  believing,  that,  if  he  was  not  the  devil,  he  was 
at  least  one  of  his  principal  agents. 


THE  STORY  OF  AN  OLD  SOLDIER. 

THE  following  story  is  as  it  was  related  by  an  old  soldier. 

It  was  in  the  summer  of  1780,  at  the  close  of  a  Sabbath  day, 
that  the  inhabitants  of  a  retired  farm  house  in  Georgia  assembled 
at  their  evening  repast.  The  venerable  farmer,  the  widow  of  his 
son,  and  her  only  daughter,  a  blooming  girl  of  sixteen,  composed 
the  little  circle.  "  I  should  like,"  said  the  old  man, "  to  know 
where  our  young  soldier  is  now."  Tears  and  blushes  appeared 
at  once  on  the  countenance  of  Kate,  and  when  the  mother  fer 
vently  exclaimed  "  God  preserve  him,"  she  could  not  restrain  her 
sobs ;  for  it  was  of  her  cousin  Leonard,  her  betrothed  husband, 
that  they  spoke.  "  Out  with  your  tears,  baby  face,"  cried  her 
grandsire,  cheerfully ;  "  he  will  come  home  to  you  soon,  nothing 
less  than  a  captain.  What !  would  you  have  him  stay  at  home 
at  such  a  time ;  ah  !  if  I  felt  not  the  aches  of  seventy  in  my  limbs. 


AN  OLD   SOLDIER.  87 

or  could  I  shake  from  my  gray  head  a  score  of  years,  I  would  not 
be  now  sitting  in  the  chimney  corner."  Kate  smiled  at  her  sire's 
earnestness.  She  handed  him  the  Bible  and  his  spectacles,  and 
having  listened  to  the  evening  portion,  and  joined  in  the  fervent 
prayer,  the  peaceful  family  retired  to  rest. 

The  dwelling  of  John  Cammel  was  situated  on  the  side  of  a 
hill,  at  the  foot  of  which  ran  a  deep  narrow  stream  that  watered 
the  valley.  On  the  bank  of  this-  stream  terminated  the  bounda 
ry  of  the  farm,  and  the  vale  beyond  was  mostly  a  thick  wood, 
where  some  new  settlers  had  begun  to  clear  small  portions  of  the 
ground.  The  huts  of  these  people  were  the  only  dwellings  with 
in  some  miles  of  Cammel's  house,  which  was  rendered  the  more 
retired  by  the  thick  shade  of  the  numerous  trees  which  grew 
around  it.  It  was  built  in  the  plain  style,  most  suitable  to  a  farm 
er  ;  consisting  of  one  story,  divided  into  a  parlor  and  three  sleep 
ing  apartments,  where  the  inmates  lodged.  The  servants  belong 
ing  immediately  to  the  house,  occupied  the  loft  above ;  while  the 
negroes  who  tilled  the  farm  had  their  own  cottages  on  the  other 
side  of  the  hill,  nearly  two  miles  from  the  dwelling.  Kate  and 
her  mother  slept  in  the  back  room,  whose  windows  looked  on  the 
path  which  wound  along  the  brow  of  the  hill,  as  it  led  to  the 
house.  It  was  midnight,  and  Kate  had  sunk  into  an  uneasy  slum 
ber,  when  she  was  startled  from  it  by  the  indistinct  sound  of 
smothered  voices.  Unsuspicious  of  evil,  and  unwilling  to  awake 
her  mother,  she  arose,  and  gently  opened  the  window ;  she  leaned 
out  and  listened ;  all  was  silent,  and  she  saw  nothing  but  the  tall 
trees  that  stood  smiling  in  the  moonlight  She  was  withdrawing, 
when  she  suddenly  perceived  something  gleam  among  the  thick 
foliage  of  the  old  willow,  whose  branches  trailed  to  the  ground. 
She  fixed  her  eye  upon  it — the  wind  gently  waved  the  leaves — 


88  THE  STOHY  OF 

it  was  a  bayonet  which  glanced  in  the  moonbeam.  At  the  same 
instant  she  saw  one  of  the  negroes  running  toward  the  house. — 
"  Shut  the  window,"  he  cried,  perceiving  her :  "  the  British  are 
here."  A  mortal  wound  from  a  musket  prevented  his  concluding. 
Kate  had  heard  enough ;  she  attempted  to  bar  the  shutters,  but 
ere  she  could  effect  it,  she  heard  the  report  of  a  gun,  and  felt^its 
burning  contents  in  her  bosom.  Darkness  came  over  her,  and  for 
some  moments  she  lay  insensible.  The  fresh  air  which  blew  from 
the  window  on  her  face,  revived  her ;  she  crept  to  the  bed  to 
speak  to  her  mother,  but  it  was  empty ;  and  the  sound  of  men's 
footsteps,  deep  execrations,  and  horrid  oaths,  struck  her  with 
terror.  Amidst  the  noise  and  tumult,  she  distinguished  the  voice 
of  her  faithful  nurse,  calling  from  the  upper  window,  and  entreat 
ing  her  to  come  to  the  loft :  "  Quick,  quick,"  repeated  the  woman. 
Kate  rose,  and  with  difficulty  walked  to  the  door.  It  was  but  to 
cross  the  hall  and  she  would  reach  the  stairs  of  the  garret.  Slro 
entered  the  hall,  and  was  hastening  through  it,  when  she  saw  the 
inanimate  body  of  a  man  lying  across  a  chair.  Another  glance 
told  her  that  it  was  her  aged  parent.  She  lingered  an  instant — 
but  that  instant  decided  her  fate.  The  door  of  the  parlor  was 
opened,  and  an  officer,  with  several  soldiers,  rushed  into  the  hall. 
Approaching  the  affrighted  girl,  he  addressed  her  in  coarse  and 
jeering  terms.  She  sunk  on  her  knees,  and  attempted  to  suppli 
cate  his  mercy ;  he  rudely  grasped  her  arm,  when  extreme  fear, 
combined  with  the  agonies  of  her  wound,  burst  the  strings  of  life, 
and  she  expired  at  his  touch.  The  officer  threw  her  stiffening 
form  from  him,  with  an  exclamation  of  horror,  and  giving  some 
order  to  his  men,  they  quitted  the  house.  But  there  was  one  who 
had  been  a  trembling  witness  to  his  brutality  ;  who  had  marked 
his  eountenance,  as  for  a  moment  he  stood  with  his  head  imcov- 


ANf  Or.D  SOLDIER  89 

,  and  had  heard  the  name  by  which  the  soldiers  addressed 
him.  The  old  negro,  the  husband  of  Kate's  nurse,  had  ventured 
to  descend  the  stairs  to  seek  the  ill-fated  girl,  and  had  partly  un 
closed  the  door  which  shut  him  from  the  hall,  when  he  beheld 
her  situation,  without  the  power  of  affording  her  assistance.  Ho 
now  hastened  to  raise  her,  and  observing  the  blood  which  flowed 
from  her  bosom,  he  called  to  his  wife  to  aid  him  in  carrying  her 
to  the  loft.  But  the  volume  of  smoke  that  burst  forth  from  every 
part  of  the  house,  announced  that  the  marauders  had  finished 
their  dreadful  errand.  While  the  nurse  supported  the  cold  form  of 
her  foster  child,  the  old  man  stole  out  to  observe  the  motions  of  the 
enemy.  They  were  marching  silently  up  the  hill,  and  the  faithful 
servants,  with  their  lifeless  burthen,  fearfully  descended  to  the 
stream,  and  crossing  over  a  rough  bridge,  they  followed  a  narrow 
path,  which  brought  them  in  safety  to  the  cottage  of  a  young 
farmer,  who  readily  opened  his  door  to  them. 

Leonard  Cammel  had  entered  the  army  a  private  soldier,  but 
his  merit  soon  gained  him  promotion.  He  had  just  received  a 
lieutenant's  commission,  and  was  appointed,  in  conjunction  with 
myself,  then  of  the  same  rank,  to  conduct  an  expedition,  the  plan 
of  which  was  unfolded  to  us  by  Colonel  Clarke,  our  immediate 
commander.  As  a  mark  of  favor,  Leonard  was  permitted  to  stop 
at  Caramel's  farm  for  two  hours,  to  see  and  converse  with  his 
friends.  I  could  not  but  envy  his  feelings,  as  I  looked  on  his 
glowing  cheek  and  sparkling  eye,  and  joined  in  his  bright  antici 
pations.  At  length  we  arrived  at  the  farm,  and  entered  the  road 
which  led  to  the  place  of  Leonard's  nativity.  As  we  ascended 
a  high  hill,  Leonard  looked  around,  and  turning  pale,  said 
"  I  do  not  see  the  house."  We  put  the  spur  to  our  horses,  and 
another  moment  brought  us  before  the  black  and  smothered 


90  THE   STORY  OF 

ruin.  The  house  was  burnt  to  the  ground,  and  some  of  the  finest 
trees  had  shared  its  fate.  The  garden,  which  even  in  its  desola 
tion  seemed  to  own  a  woman's  taste,  was  trampled,  and  its  flow 
ers  were  crushed.  A  bower,  which  had  been  shaded  by  the  white 
roses  of  the  luxuriant  multiflora,  was  levelled  with  the  eartl} ;  yet 
the  flowers  still  reared  their  pale  heads,  and  perfumed  the  morn 
ing  air. 

"  This  is  not  the  effect  of  accident,"  exclaimed  Leonard,  lean 
ing  against  a  tree,  as  if  stunned  by  the  shock,  while  the  soldiers 
vented  their  anger  in  oaths  and  threats  of  vengeance. 

"Where shall  we  seek  your  family ?"     I  inquired. 

"  Not  on  earth,  I  fear,"  answered  Leonard ;  yet  the  eagerness 
with  which  he  led  the  way  to  the  cottage,  showed  that  he  stil . 
cherished  hope.  The  old  nurse  was  sitting  at  the  entrance  of  the 
hut  as  we  approached ;  at  the*  sight  of  Leonard,  she  wrung  her 
hands,  and  weeping  bitterly,  cried,  "  you  have  come  too  late." 

"  Where  is  Kate  and  my  grandfather  ?"  was  Leonard's  eager 
inquiry ;  and,  without  waiting  her  answer,  he  rushed  into  the 
house.  I  followed  him,  and  beheld  stretched  on  the  bed  the  life 
less  form  of  a  young  female  ;  her  white  arms  were  crossed  on  her 
bosom — her  beautiful  features  were  not  only  convulsed  by  the 
agony  of  death,  but  of  mental  terror — and  her  long  brown  hair, 
which  flowed  over  her  form,  was,  in  some  places,  clotted  with 
blood.  It  was  only  by  speaking  of  revenge,  and  urging  the  im 
perious  calls  of  duty,  that  I  was  enabled  to  tear  the  wretched 
youth  from  the  corpse  of  his  murdered  love.  Before  he  departed, 
he  ascertained  the  name  of  the  officer,  who  had  commanded  these 
fiends.  I  was  not  surprised,  when  the  negro,  after  detailing  the 

whole  scene,  mentioned  the  name  of  G .  "  You  will  easily 

know  him,"  he  continued,  "  by  a  scar  which  covers  his  cheek." 


AN  OLD  SOLDIER.  91 

"  I  shall  know  him,"  said  Leonard  bitterly ;  and  his  deportment 
then  changed  from  deep  dejection  to  a  fierce  and  feverish  eager 
ness  of  manner.  We  were  successful  in  our  errand,  and,  after  a 
few  days  absence,  rejoined  Colonel  Clarke.  One  morning,  as  I 
was  sitting  alone,  Leonard  came  to  my  tent,  his  face  lighted  up 
with  a  joyful,  but  ferocious  expression.  Before  I  could  speak,  he 
exclaimed,  "  Have  you  heard  the  order  ?  we  are  to  attack  Fort 

G ." 

"  Who  defends  it  ?"     I  asked. 

"  Who  ?     G ."     Alarmed  at  his  fierceness,  I  said,   "  What 

do  you  think  of  my  friend  ?"  Grasping  his  sword,  while  his  brow 
crimsoned  with  rage,  he  replied,  "  of  the  smoking  ruin,  and  stiff 
corpse  I  left  behind  me." 

Colonel  G was  obliged  to  surrender  to  our  superior  force. 

As  at  the  head  of  his  men,  he  walked  from  the  fort  between  the 
ranks  of  his  conqueror,  a  musket  ball  whistled  through  the  air ; 

it  was  aimed  by  an  unerring  hand,  and  G fell  to  the  ground, 

a  dead  man.  Although  every  exertion  was  used,  it  was  never 
discovered  who  was  the  murderer.  I  dared  not  question  Leonard, 
but  the  calm  sternness  of  his  countenance  spoke  of  satisfied  re 
venge.  Once  I  ventured  to  deplore  the  event,  as  a  stain  upon  our 
honor.  "  Would  he  had  died  in  battle ;  he  had  trusted  to  our 
faith ;  he  was  unarmed ;  to  harm  him  then,  was  faithless  and  un 
merciful."  "  He  showed  her  no  mercy,"  said  Leonard,  in  a  voice 
which  made  me  shudder. 


92  ADVENTURES  OP  THE 


ADVENTURES  OF  THE  BROTHERS  SAMMONS. 

JACOB  SAMMONS,  and  his  four  sons,  were  celebrated  in  the 
border  warfare  of  the  Mohawk  Valley,  as  staunch  and  intrepid 
supporters  of  the  American  cause.  The  whole  family,  with  the 
exception  of  one  son,  who  was  absent  from  home  at  the  time, 
were  taken  prisoners  by  Sir  John  Johnson,  in  his  night  descent  on 
Johnstown,  near  which  town  the  Sammons  family  resided.  The 
particulars  of  the  arrest,  and  of  the  subsequent  marvelous  and 
perilous  adventures  of  Jacob  and  Frederick  Sammons,  we  draw 
from  Stone's  "  Life  of  Joseph  Brant."  A  more  deeply  absorbing 
and  wonderful  history  of  escapes  by  flood  and  field — the  history 
of  adventure  can  scarcely  produce. 

"  On  the  night  of  the  attack,  Thomas,  the  youngest,  had  risen 
at  an  unwonted  hour,  in  order  to  feed  his  horses,  and  go  over  to 
a  neighboring  farm  to  work  with  his  brother.  On  coming  down 
stairs,  however,  and  stepping  out  of  doors  half  dressed,  to  take  an 
observation  of  the  weather — it  being  yet  dark,  though  day  was 
just  breaking — the  thought  occurred  to  him,  that  should  any 
straggling  Indians  be  prowling  about,  he  would  stand  but  a  poor 
chance  if  fallen  upon  alone.  While  standing  thus  in  doubt, 
whether  to  proceed  or  to  wait  for  more  light,  he  was  startled  by 
a  noise  of  heavy  steps  behind,  and,  as  he  turned,  by  the  glitter  of 
steel  passing  before  his  eyes.  At  the  same  instant,  a  hand  was 
laid  upon  his  shoulder,  with  the  words — ( you  are  my  prisoner  !' 
In  such  perfect  stillness  had  the  enemy  approached,  that  not  the 
sound  of  a  footstep  was  heard,  until  the  moment  when  the 
younger  Sammons  was  thus  arrested,  and  the  house  immediately 
surrounded.  One  of  the  officers,  with  several  soldiers,  instantly 


BROTHERS  SAMMONB-  93 

entered  the  house,  and  ordered  the  family  to  get  up,  and  sur 
render  themselves  as  prisoners.  Jacob  and  Frederick,  who  were 
in  bed,  in  the  second  story,  sprang  upon  their  feet  immediately, 
and  seized  their  arms.  The  officer  called  to  them  and  offered 
quarter  if  they  would  surrender.  Jacob  inquired  whether  there 
were  Indians  with  them ;  adding,  that  if  there  were,  he  and  his 
brother  would  not  be  taken  alive.  On  being  assured  to  the  con 
trary,  the  brothers  descended  the  stairs  and  surrendered.  The 
old  gentleman  was  also  taken.  They  were  directed  to  make 
ready  to  march  immediately.  Thomas  here  remarked  to  the  sol 
dier  who  yet  stood  sentinel  over  him,  that  he  could  not  travel  to 
Canada  without  his  clothes,  and  especially  without  his  shoes, 
which  he  had  not  yet  put  on — requesting  liberty  to  return  to  his 
chamber  for  his  raiment.  The  sentinel  refused  permission  ;  but 
Thomas  persisted  that  he  must  obtain  his  shoes  at  least,  and  was 
stepping  toward  the  door,  when  the  barbarian  made  a  plunge  at 
at  his  back  with  his  bayonet,  which  had  proved  fatal,  but  for  the 
quick  eyes  and  the  heroism  of  a  sister,  standing  by,  who,  as  she 
saw  the  thrust  at  her  brother,  sprang  forward,  and  seizing  the 
weapon,  threw  herself  across  its  barrel,  and  by  falling,  brought  it 
to  the  ground.  The  soldier  struggled  to  disengage  his  arms 
and  accomplish  his  purpose.  At  the  same  time,  an  officer 
stepped  forward,  and  demanded  what  was  the  matter.  The 
girl  informed  him  of  the  attempt  upon  her  brother,  whereupon 

he  rebuked  the  soldier,  by  the  exclamation — '  you  d d  rascal, 

would  you  murder  the  boy  ?'  Immediate  permission  was  then 
given  him,  to  procure  whatever  articles  he  wanted." 

With  their  arms  pinioned  behind  them,  the  prisoners  com 
menced  their  march.  The  course  of  the  tories  was  one  uninter 
rupted  outrage.  Houses  burned,  prisoners  made,  helpless  age, 


94  ADVENTURES  OF   THE 

and  smiling  infancy  brutally  murdered,  and  property  of  all  kinds 
recklessly  destroyed.  They  continued  along  the  Mohawk  Valley, 
for  several  miles,  burning  and  destroying,  and  then  retraced  their 
steps  to  Johnstown.  Here  an  English  lady  interested  herself 
successfully  for  some  of  the  prisoners,  with  Sir  John,  and  in  going, 
into  the  field  to  select  them,  she  managed  adroitly  to  include 
young  Sammoris  into  the  group,  for  whom  an  interest  had  been 
excited  in  her  bosom.  The  elder  Summons  was  also  released, 
having  privately  made  an  appeal  to  the  Baronet,  based  upon  early 
associations  and  services  rendered  to  him,  to  which  Sir  John 
yielded.  Jacob  and  Frederick  Sammons,  however,  were  continued 
in  captivity.  The  march  was  resumed,  and  the  captives  marched 
to  St.  John's,  and  from  tlience  transferred  to  the  fortress  of 
Chamblee. 

"  The  prisoners  at  this  fortress  numbered  about  forty.  On  the 
day  after  their  arrival,  Jacob  Sammons  having  taken  an  accurate 
survey  of  the  garrison,  and  the  facilities  of  escape,  conceived  the 
project  of  inducing  his  fellow  prisoners  to  rise  upon  the  guards 
and  obtain  their  freedom.  The  garrison  was  weak  in  number, 
and  the  sentinels  less  vigilant  than  is  usual  among  good  soldiers. 
The  prison  doors  were  opened  once  a  day,  when  the  prisoners  were 
visited  by  the  proper  officer,  with  four  or  five  soldiers.  Sammons 
had  observed,  where  the  arms  of  the  guards  were  stacked  in  the 
yard,  and  his  plan  was,  that  some  of  the  prisoners  should  arrest 
and  disarm  the  visiting  guard,  on  the  opening  of  their  door,  while 
the  residue  were  to  rush  forth,  seize  the  arms,  and  fight  their  way 
out.  The  proposition  was  acceeded  to  by  his  brother  Frederick, 
and  one  other  man  named  Van  Sluyck,  but  was  considered  too 
daring  by  the  great  body  of  the  pisoners  to  be  undertaken.  It 
was  therefore  abandoned,  and  the  "brothers  sought  afterwards  only 


BROTHERS  SAMMONS.  95 

for  a  chance  for  escaping  by  themselves.  Within  three  days,  the 
desired  opportunity  occurred,  viz,  on  the  13th  of  June,  1780. 
The  prisoners  were  supplied  with  an  allowance  of  spruce  beer,  for 
which  two  of  their  number  were  detached  daily,  to  bring  the 
cask  from  the  beer  house,  under  a  guard  of  five  men,  with  fixed 
bayonets.  Having  reason  to  suppose,  that  the  arms  of  the  guards 
though  charged,  were  not  primed,  the  brothers  so  contrived  mat 
ters,  as  to  be  taken  together  to  the  brewery  on  the  day  mentioned, 
with  an  understanding,  that,  at  a  given  point,  they  were  to  dart 
from  the.  guard,  and  run  for  their  lives — believing  that  the  con 
fusion  of  the  moment,  and  the  consequent  delay  of  priming  their 
muskets  by  the  guards,  would  enable  them  to  escape  beyond  the 
ordinary  range  of  musket  shot.  The  project  was  boldly  executed. 
At  the  concerted  moment,  the  brothers  sprang  from  their  con- 
ducters,  and  stretched  across  the  plain  with  great  fleetness.  The 
alarm  was  given,  and  the  whole  garrison  was  soon  after  them  in 
hot  pursuit.  Unfortunately  for  Jacob,  he  fell  into  a  ditch,  and 
sprained  his  ankle.  Perceiving  the  accident,  Frederick  returned 
to  his  assistance  ;  but  the  other  generously  admonished  him  to 
secure  his  own  flight  if  possible,  and  leave  him  to  the  chances  of 
war.  Recovering  from  his  fall,  and  regardless  of  the  accident, 
Jacob  sprang  forward  again,  with  as  much  expedition  as  possible, 
but  finding  the  lameness  impeded  his  progress,  he  plunged  into  a 
thick  clump  of  shrubs  and  trees,  and  was  fortunate  enough  to 
hide  himself  between  two  logs,  before  the  pursuers  came  up. 
Twenty  or  thirty  shots  had  previously  been  fired  upon  them,  but 
without  effect.  In  consequence  of  the  smoke  of  their  fire,  prob 
ably,  the  guards  had  not  observed  Jacob  when  he  threw  him  self 
into  the  thicket,  and  supposing  that,  like  his  brother,  he  had 
passed  around  it,  they  followed  on,  until  they  were  fairly  dis- 


06  ADVENTURES  OF    THE 

tanced  by  Frederick,  of  whom  they  lost  sight  and  traco.  They 
returned  in  about  half  an  hour,  halting  by  the  bushes,  in  which 
the  other  fugitive  was  sheltered,  and  so  near,  that  he  could  dis 
tinctly  hear  their  conversation.  The  officer  in  command,  was 
Capt.  Steele.  On  calling  his  men  together,  some  were  swearing. 
and  others  laughing  at  the  race,  and  the  speed  of  the  '  long- 
legged  Dutchmen,'  as  they  called  the  flying  prisoners.  The  pur 
suit  being  abandoned,  the  guards  returned  to  the  fort. 

"  The  brothers  had  agreed,  in  case  of  separation,  to  meet  at  a  cer 
tain  spot,  at  10  o'clock  that  night.  Of  course  Jacob  lay  en- 
sconsced  in  the  bushes  until  night  had  dropped  her  sable  curtains, 
and  until  he  supposed  the  hour  had  arrived,  when  he  sallied  forth, 
according  to  the  antecedent  understanding.  But  time  did  not 
move  as  rapidly  on  that  evening  as  he  supposed.  He  waited 
upon  the  spot  designated,  and  called  aloud  for  Frederick,  until  he 
despaired  of  meeting  him,  and  prudence  forbade  him  remaining 
any  longer.  It  subsequently  appeared,  that  he  was  too  early  on 
the  ground,  and  that  Frederick  made  good  his  appointment. 

"  Following  the  bank  of  the  Sorel,  JAcob  passed  Fort  St.  John's 
soon  after  day  break,  on  the  morning  of  the  14th.  His  purpose 
was  to  swim  the  river  at  that  plac^,  and  pursue  his  course  home 
ward,  through  the  wilderness  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain  ;  but,  just  as  he  was  perparing  to  enter  the  water,  he  des 
cried  a  boat  approaching  from  below,  filled  with  officers  and  sol 
diers  of  the  enemy.  Concealing  himself  again  in  the  woods,  lie 
resumed  his  journey  after  their  departure,  but  had  not  proceeded 
more  than  two  or  three  miles,  before  he  came  upon  a  party  of 
several  hundred  men,  engaged  in  getting  out  timber  for  the  pub 
lic  works  at  the  fort.  To  avoid  these,  he  was  obliged  to  describe 
a  wide  circuit,  in  the  course  of  which,  at  about  12  o'clock,  he 


BROTHERS  SAMMONS.  97 

*<t 

came  to  a  small  clearing.  Within  the  enclosure  was  a  house  and 
in  the  field  were  a  man  and  a  boy  engaged  in  hoeing  potatoes. 
They  were  at  that  moment  called  to  dinner,  and  supposing  them 
to  be  French,  who,  he  had  heard,  were  rather  friendly  to  the 
American  cause  than  otherwise — incited  also  by  hunger  and 
fatigue — he  made  bold  to  present  himself,  trusting  that  he  might 
be  invited  to  partake  of  their  hospitality.  But  instead  of  a  friend, 
he  found  an  enemy.  On  making  known  his  character,  he  was 
roughly  received.  '  It  is  by  such  villians  that  you  are,'  replied 
the  forester,  '  that  I  was  obliged  to  fly  from  Lake  Champlain.' 
'  The  rebels,'  he  added,  '  had  robbed  him  of  all  he  possessed,  and 
he  would  now  deliver  his  self-invited  guest  to  the  guard,  which, 
he  said,  was  not  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant.'  Sam- 
mons  promptly  answered  him  that  '  that  was  more  than  he  could 
do  !'  The  refugee  then  said  '  he  would  go  for  the  guard  himself;' 
to  which  Sammons  replied,  '  that  he  might  act  as  he  pleased,  but 
that  all  the  men  in  Canada  should  not  make  him  again  a 
prisoner.' 

"  The  man  thereupon  returned  with  his  son  to  the  potatoe  field, 
and  resumed  his  work ,  while  his  more  compassionate  wife  gave 
him  a  bowl  of  bread  and  milk,  which  he  ate  sitting  on  the  thresh- 
hold  of  the  door,  to  guard  against  surprise.  While  in  the  house, 
he  saw  a  musket,  powder  horn,  and  bullet  pouch  hanging  against 
the  wall,  of  which  he  determined,  if  possible,  to  possess  himself, 
that  he  might  be  able  to  procure  food  during  the  long  and  soli 
tary  march  before  him.  On  retiring,  therefore,  he  traveled  only 
far  enough  into  the  woods,  for  concealment — returning  to  the 
woodman's  house  in  the  evening,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
the  musket  and  ammunition.  But  he  was  again  beset  by  immi 
nent  peril.  Very  soon  after  he  entered  the  house,  the  sound  of 


98  ADVENTURES  OP  THE 

approaching  voices  were  heard,  and  he  took  to  the  rude  chamber 
for  security,  where  he  lay  flat  upon  the  irregular  floor,  and  look 
ing  through  the  interstices,  saw  eleven  soldiers  enter,  who,  it  soon 
appeared,  came  for  milk.  His  situation  was  now  exceedingly 
critical.  The  churlish  proprietor  might  inform  against  him,  or  a 
single  moment  betray  him.  But  neither  circumstance  occurred. 
The  unwelcome  visitors  departed  in  due  time,  and  the  family  all 
retired  to  bed,  excepting  the  wife,  who,  as  Jacob  descended  from 
the  chamber,  refreshed  him  with  another  bowl  of  milk.  She  en 
deavored  to  persuade  him,  to  secrete  himself  in  the  woods  for  two 
days,  when  she  would  be  enabled  to  furnish  him  with  some  provi 
sions,  for  a  supply  of  which  her  husband  was  going  to  the  fort  the 
next  day,  and  she  would  likewise  endeavor  to  provide  him  with  a 
pair  of  shoes. 

"  Disinclined  to  linger  so  long  in  the  country  of  the  enemy, 
and  in  the  neighborhood  of  a  British  fort,  he  took  his  departure 
forthwith.  But  such  had  been  the  kindness  of  the  good  woman, 
that  he  had  it  not  in  his  heart  to  seize  upon  her  husband's  arms, 
and  he  left  this  wild  scene  of  rustic  hospitality  without  supplies, 
and  without  the  means  of  procuring  them.  Arriving  once  more 
at  the  water's  edge,  at  the  lower  end  of  Lake  Champlain,  lie 
came  upon  a  hut,  within  which,  on  cautiously  approaching  it  for 
reconnoisance,  he  discovered  a  party  of  soldiers  all  soundly  asleep. 
Their  canoe  was  moored  by  the  shore,  into  which  he  sprang,  and 
paddled  himself  up  the  lake,  under  the  most  encouraging  pros 
pect  of  a  speedy  and  comparatively  easy  voyage  to  its  head, 
whence  his  return  home  would  be  unattended  with  either  diffi 
culty  or  danger.  But  his  pleasing  anticipations  were  extinguished 
on  the  night  following,  as  he  approached  the  Isle  au  Noix,  where 
he  descried  a  fortification,  and  the  glitter  of  bayonets  bristling  in 


BROTHERS  SAMMONS.  99 

the  air,  as  the  moonbeams  played  upon  the  burnished  arms  of  the 
sentinels,  who  were  pacing  their  tedious  rounds.  The  lake  being 
very  narrow  at  this  point,  and  perceiving  that  both  sides  were 
fortified,  he  thought  the  attempt  to  shoot  his  canoe  between  them, 
rather  too  hazardous  an  experiment.  His  only  course,  therefore, 
was  to  run  ashore  and  resume  his  travels  on  foot.  Nor  on  land 
ing,  was  his  case  in  any  respect  enviable.  'Without  shoes,  with 
out  food,  and  without  the  means  of  obtaining  either — a  long 
journey  before  him,  through  a  deep  and  trackless  wilderness — it 
may  well  be  imagined,  that  his  mind  was  not  cheered  by  the 
most  agreeable  anticipations.  But  without  pausing  to  indulge 
unnecessarily  his  '  thick  coming  fancies,'  he  commenced  his  soli 
tary  journey,  directing  his  course  along  the  eastern  lake  shore, 
toward  Albany.  During  the  first  four  days  of  his  progress,  he 
subsisted  entirely  upon  the  bark  of  the  birch — chewing  the  twigs 
as  he  went.  On  the  fourth  day,  while  resting  by  a  brook,  he 
heard  a  rippling  of  the  water  caused  by  the  fish  as  they  were 
stemming  its  current.  He  succeeded  in  catching  a  few  of  these, 
but  having  no  means  of  striking  a  fire,  after  devouring  one  of 
them  raw,  the  others  were  thrown  away. 

"  His  feet,  by  this  time,  were  cruelly  cut,  brusied,  and  torn  by 
thorns,  briars,  and  stones ;  and  while  he  could  scarcely  proceed 
by  reason  of  their  soreness,  hunger  and  fatigue  united  to  retard 
his  cheerless  march.  On  the  fifth  day,  his  miseries  were  aug 
mented  by  the  hungry  swarms  of  musquetoes,  which  settled  upon 
him  in  clouds,  while  traversing*  a  swamp.  On  the  same  day,  he 
fell  upon  the  nest  of  a  black  duck— the  duck  sitting  quietly  upon 
her  eggs  until  he  came  up  and  caught  her.  The  bird  was  no 
sooner  deprived  of  her  life,  and  her  feathers,  than  he  devoured 
the  whole,  including  its  head  and  feet.  The  eggs  were  nine  in 


100  ADVENTURES    OP  THE 

number,  which  Summons  took  with  him ;  but  on  opening  one, 
he  found  a  little  half-made  duckling,  already  alive.  Against 
such  food  his  stomach  revolted,  and  he  was  obliged  to  throw  the 
eggs  away. 

"  On  the  tenth  day,  he  came  to  a  small  lake.  His  feet  were 
now  in  such  a  horrible  state,  that  he  could  scarcely  crawl  along. 
Finding  a  mitigation  of  pain,  by  bathing  them  in  water,  he 
plunged  his  feet  into  the  lake,  and  lay  down  upon  its  margin. 
For  a  time  it  seemed  as  though  he  could  never  rise  upon  his  feet 
again.  Worn  down  by  hunger  and  fatigue — bruised  in  body  and 
wounded  in  spirit — in  a  lone  wilderness,  with  no  eye  to  pity  and 
no  human  act  to  protect — he  felt  as  though  he  must  remain  in 
that  spot  until  it  should  please  God,  in  his  goodness,  to  quench  the 
dim  spark  of  life  that  remained.  Still  he  was  comforted  in  some 
measure,  by  the  thought  that  he  was  in  the  hands  of  a  Being 
without  whose  knowledge,  not  a  sparrow  falls  to  the  ground. 

"  Refreshed  at  length,  though  to  a  trifling  degree,  he  resumed 
his  weary  way,  when  on  raising  his  right  leg  on  the  trunk  of  a 
fallen  tree  he  was  bitten  in  the  calf  by  a  rattlesnake.  Quick  as 
a  flash,  with  his  pocket  knife,  he  made  an  inscision  in  his  leg, 
removing  the  wounded  flesh  to  a  greater  depth  than  the  fangs  of 
the  serpent  had  penetrated.  His  next  business  was  to  kill  the 
venemous  reptile,  and  dress  it  for  eating  ;  thus  appropriating  the 
enemy  that  had  sought  to  take  his  life,  to  its  prolongation.  His 
first  meal  was  made  from  the  heart  and  fat  of  the  serpent.  Feel 
ing  somewhat  strengthened  by  the  repast,  and  finding,  moreover, 
that  he  could  not  travel  farther  in  his  present  condition,  he  deter 
mined  to  remain  where  he  was  for  a  few  days,  and  by  repose, 
and  feeding  on  the  body  of  the  snake,  recruit  his  strength.  Dis 
covering  also,  a  dry  fungus  upon  the  trunk  of  a  maple  tree,  he 


BROTHERS    SAMMONS.  101 

succeeded  in  striking  a  fire,  by  which  his  comforts  were  essen 
tially  increased.  Still  he  was  obliged  to  creep  upon  his  hands 
and  knees  to  gather  food,  and  gather  fuel,  and  on  the  third  day, 
he  was  in  such  a  state  of  exhaustion,  as  to  be  utterly  unable  to 
proceed.  Supposing  that  death  was  inevitable  and  very  near,  he 
crawled  to  the  foot  of  a  tree,  upon  the  bark  of  which  he  com 
menced  inscribing  his  name — in  the  expectation  that  he  should 
leave  his  bones  there,  and  in  the  hopes  that,  in  someway,  by  the 
aid  of  the  inscription,  his  family  might  ultimately  be  apprised  of 
his  fate.  While  engaged  in  this  sad  work,  a  cloud  of  painful 
thoughts  crowded  upon  his  mind;  the  tears  involuntary  stole 
down  his  cheeks,  and  before  he  had  completed  the  melancholy 
task,  he  fell  asleep. 

"  On  the  fourth  day  of  his  residence  at  this  place,  he  began  to 
gain  strength,  and  as  a  part  of  the  serpent  yet  remained,  he  deter 
mined  upon  another  effort  to  resume  his  journey.  But  he  could 
not  do  so  without  devising  some  substitute  for  shoes.  For  this 
purpose  he  cut  up  his  hat  and  waistcoat,  binding  them  upon  his 
feet — and  thus  he  hobbled  along.  On  the  following  night,  while 
lying  in  the  woods,  he  became  strongly  impressed  with  a  belief 
that  he  was  not  far  distant  from  a  human  habitation.  He  had 
seen  no  indications  of  proximity  to  the  abode  of  man ;  but  never 
theless,  he  was  so  confident  of  the  fact,  that  he  wept  with  joy. 
Buoyed  up  and  strengthened  by  this  impression,  he  resumed  his 
journey  on  the  following  morning ;  and  in  the  afternoon,  it  being 
the  28th  of  June,  he  reached  a  house  in  the  town  of  Pittsford,  in 
the  New  Hampshire  Grants — now  forming  the  state  of  Vermont. 
He  remained  there  for  seveial  days,  both  to  recruit  his  health, 
and  if  possible,  to  gain  intelligence  of  his  brother.  But  no  tidings 
came  ;  and  as  lie  knew  Frederick  to  be  a  capital  woodsman,  he, 


102  NARRATIVE  OF 

of  course,  concluded  that  sickness,  death,  or  recapture,  must  hare 
interrupted  his  journey.  Procuring  a  conveyance,  Jacob  traveled 
to  Albany,  and  thence  to  Schenectady,  where  he  had  the  happi 
ness  of  finding  his  wife  and  family." 

NARRATIVE  OF  FREDERICK  SAMMONS. 

"  NOT  less  interesting,  nor  marked  by  fewer  vicissitudes  were 
the  adventures  of  Frederick  Sammons.  The  flight  from  tne  fort 
at  Chamblee,  was  made  just  before  sunset,  which  accounts  for  the 
chase  having  been  abandoned  so  soon.  On  entering  the  edge  of 
the  woods,  Frederick  encountered  a  party  of  Indians,  returning  to 
the  fort,  from  fatigue  duty.  Perceiving  that  he  was  a  fugitive, 
they  fired,  and  called  out — '  we  have  got  him  !'  In  this  opinion, 
however,  they  were  mistaken  ;  for,  although  he  had  run  close 
upon  before  perceiving  them,  yet  being  like  Ashael  of  old,  swift 
of  foot,  by  turning  a  short  corner,  and  increasing  his  speed,  in  ten 
minutes  he  was  entirely  cleared  of  the  party.  He  then  sat  down 
to  rest,  the  blood  gushing  from  his  nose,  in  consequence  of  the 
extent  to  which  his  physical  powers  had  been  taxed.  At  the 
time  appointed,  he  also  had  repaired  to  the  point,  which,  at  his 
separation  from  Jacob,  had  been  agreed  upon  as  the  place  of 
meeting.  The  moon  shone  brightly,  and  he  called  loud  and  often 
for  his  brother — so  loud  indeed,  that  the  guard  was  turned  out  in 
consequence.  His  anxiety  was  very  great  for  his  brother's  safety ; 
but  in  ignorance  of  his  situation,  he  was  obliged  to  attend  to  his 
own.  He  determined,  however,  to  approach  the  fort — so  near  it, 
at  least,  as  he  could  venture — and  in  the  event  of  meeting  any 
one,  disguise  his  own  character  by  inquiring  whether  the  rebels 
had  been  taken.  But  a  flash  from  the  sentinel's  musket,  the  re 
port,  and  the  noise  of  a  second  pursuit,  compelled  him  to  change 


FREDERICK    SAMMONS.  103 

the  direction  of  his  march,  and  proceed  again  with  all  possible 
speed.  It  had  been  determined  by  the  brothers  to  cross  the 
Sorel,  and  return  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  and  lake ;  but 
there  was  a  misunderstanding  between  them,  as  to  the  point  of 
crossing  the  river — whether  above  or  below  the  fort.  Frederick 
repaired  to  what  he  supposed  to  be  the  designated  place  of  cross 
ing,  below  the  fort,  where  he  lingered  for  his  brother  until  near 
morning.  At  length,  having  found  a  boat,  he  crossed  over  to  the 
eastern  shore,  and  landed  just  at  the  cock  crowing..  He  pro 
ceeded  directly  to  the  barn  where  the  supposed  chanticleer  had 
raised  his  voice,  but  found  not  a  fowl  on  the  premises.  The  sheep 
looked  too  poor  by  the  dim  twilight,  to  serve  his  purpose  of  food, 
but  a  bullock  presenting  a  more  favorable  appearance,  Frederick 
succeeded  in  cutting  the  unsuspecting  animal's  throat,  and  sever 
ing  one  of  the  hind  quarters  from  the  carcass,  he  shouldered  and 
in  arched  off  with  it  directly  into  the  forest.  Having  proceeded 
to  a  safe  and  convenient  distance,  he  stopped  to  dress  his  beef, 
cutting  off  what  he  supposed  would  be  sufficient  for  the  journey, 
and  forming  a  knapsack  from  the  skin,  by  the  aid  of  bark  pulled 
from  a  tree. 

•'  Resuming  his  journey,  he  arrived  at  the  house  of  a  French 
family,  within  the  distance  of  five  or  six  miles.  Here  he  made 
bold  to  enter,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  bread  and  salt,  and  in 
the  hope  also  of  obtaining  a  gun  and  ammunition.  But  he  could 
neither  obtain  provisions,  nor  make  the  people  understand  a  word 
he  uttered.  He  found  means,  however,  to  prepare  some  tinder, 
with  which  he  re-entered  the  woods,  and  hastened  forward  in  a, 
southern  direction,  until  he  ascertained,  by  the  firing  of  the  even 
ing  guns,  that  he  had  passed  St.  John's.  -Halting  for  the  night, 
he  struck  a  light ;  and  having  kindled  a  fire,  occupied  himself  till 


104  NARRATIVE  OP 

morning  in  drying  and  smoking  his  beef,  cutting  it  into  slices  for 
that  purpose.  His  knapsack  of  raw  hide  was  cured  by  the  same 
process.  Thus  prepared,  he  proceeded  onward  without  interrup 
tion  or  adventure,  until  the  third  day,  when  he  killed  a  fawn  and 
secured  the  venison.  He  crossed  the  Mirooski,  or  Onion  river,  on  the 
next  day  ;  and  having  discovered  a  man's  name  carved  upon  a  tree, 
together  with  the  distance  from  the  lake,  (Champlain)  eight  miles, 
lie  bent  his  course  for  its  shores,  when  he  found  a  canoe  with  pad 
dles.  Ttere  was  now  a  prospect  of  lessening  the  fatigue  of  his 
journey ;  but  his  canoe  had  scarce  begun  to  dance  upon  the 
waters,  ere  it  parted  asunder,  and  he  was  compelled  to  hasten 
ashore  and  continue  his  march  by  land. 

"  At  the  close  of  the  seventh  day,  and  when,  as  he  supposed,  he 
was  within  two  day's  travel  of  settlement,  he  kindled  his  fire,  and 
lay  down  to  rest  in  health  and  spirits.  But  ere  the  dawn  of  day 
he  awoke  with  racking  pains,  which  proved  to  be  an  attack  of 
pleurisy.  A  drenching  rain  came  on,  continuing  three  days ; 
during  which  time  he  lay  helpless,  in  dreadful  agony,  without 
fire  or  shelter,  or  sustenance  of  any  kind.  On  the  fourth  day,  his 
pain  having  abated,  he  attempted  to  eat  a  morsel,  but  his  provi 
sions  had  become  too  offensive  to  be  swallowed.  His  thirst  being 
intense,  he  fortunately  discovered  a  pond  of  water  near  by,  to 
which  he  crawled.  It  was  a  stagnant  pool,  swarming  with  frogs — 
another  providential  circumstance,  inasmuch  as  the  latter  served 
him  for  food.  Too  weak,  however,  to  strike  a  light,  he  was  com 
pelled  to  devour  them  raw,  and  without  dressing  of  any  kind. 
Unable  to  proceed,  he  lay  in  this  wretched  condition  fourteen 
days.  Supposing  that  he  should  die  there,  he  succeeded  in  hang 
ing  his  hat  upon  a  pole,  with  a  few  papers,  in  order  that,  if  dis 
covered,  his  fate  might  be  known.  He  was  lying  upon  a  high 


FREDERICK  SAMMONS.  105 

hluff,  iii  full  view  of  the  lake,  and  at  no  great  distance  therefrom. 
The  hat,  thus  elevated,  served  as  a  signal,  which  saved  his  life. 
A  vessel  sailing  past,  descried  the  hat,  and  sent  a  boat  ashore  to 
ascertain  the  cause.  The  boatmen  discovered  the  body  of  a  man 
yet  living,  but  senseless  and  speechless,  and  transferred  him  to  the 
vessel.  By  the  aid  of  medical  attendance,  he  was  slowly  restored 
to  his  reason,  and  having  informed  the  captain  who  he  was,  had 
the  rather  uncomfortable  satisfaction  of  learning  that  he  was  on 
board  of  an  enemy's  ship,  and  at  that  moment  lying  at  Crown 
Point.  Here  he  remained  sixteen  days,  in  the  course  of  which 
time  he  had  the  gratification  to  hear,  from  a  party  of  Tories 
coming  from  the  settlements,  that  his  brother  Jacob  had  arrived 
safr  at  Schenectady,  and  joined  his  family.  He  was  also  apprised 
<>f  Jacob's  sufferings,  and  the  bite  of  the  serpent,  which  took  place 
near  Otter  Creek,  close  by  the  place  where  he  had  himself  been 
so  long  sick.  The  brothers  were,  therefore,  near  together  at  the 
time  of  the  greatest  peril  and  endurance  of  both. 

"  Frederick's  recovery  was  very  slow.  Before  he  was  able  to 
walk,  he  was  taken  to  St.  John's,  and  thence,  partly  on  a  wheel 
barrow  and  partly  in  a  calash,  carried  back  to  his  old  quarters,  at 
Chamblee — experiencing  much  rough  usage  by  the  way.  On  ar 
riving  at  the  fortress,  the  guards  saluted  him  by  the  title  of  Cap 
tain  Lightfoot ;  and  there  was  great  joy  at  his  re-capture.  It  was 
now  about  the  1st  of  August.  As  soon  as  his  health  was  sufficiently 
recovered  to  bear  it,  he  was  heavily  ironed,  and  kept  in  close  con 
finement  at  that  place,  until  October,  1782 — fourteen  months, 
without  once  beholding  the  light  of  the  sun.  Between  St.  John's 
and  Chamblee  he  had  met  a  British  officer  with  whom  he  was 
acquainted,  and  by  whom  he  was  informed  that  severe  treatment 
would  be  his  portion.  Compassioning  his  situation,  however. 


106  NARRATIVE  OF 

the  officer  slipped  a  guinea  and  a  couple  of  dollars  into  his  hand, 
and  they  moved  on. 

"  No  other  prisoners  were  in  irons  at  Chamblee,  and  all  but 
Sammons  were  taken  upon  the  parade  ground,  twice  a  week  for 
the  benefit  of  fresh  air.  The  irons  were  so  heavy  and  so  tight,  as 
to  wear  into  the  flesh  of  his  legs ;  and  so  incensed  was  Captain 
Steelc,  the  officer  of  the  32  regiment,  yet  commanding  the  garri 
son  at  Chamblee,  at  the  escape  of  his  prisoner,  that  he  would  not 
allow  the  surgeon  to  remove  the  irons  to  dress  the  wounds,  of 
which  they  were  the  cause,  until  a  peremptory  order  was  pro 
cured  for  that  purpose,  from  General  St.  Leger,  who  was  then  at 
St.  John's.  The  humanity  of  the  surgeon  prompted  this  applica 
tion  of  his  own  accord.  Even  then,  however,  Steele  would  only 
allow  the  leg  bolts  to  be  knocked  off — still  keeping  on  the  hand 
cuffs.  The  dressing  of  his  legs  was  a  severe  operation.  The  iron 
had  eaten  to  the  bone,  and  the  grangrened  flesh  was  of  course  to 
be  removed.  One  of  the  legs  ultimately  healed  up,  but  the  other 
never  became  entirely  well. 

"  In  the  month  of  November,  1*781,  the  prisoners  were  trans 
ferred  from  Chamblee,  to  an  island  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  called,  at 
that  time,  Prison  Island — situated  in  the  rapids,  some  distance 
above  Montreal.  Sammons  was  compelled  to  travel  in  his  hand 
cuffs,  but  the  other  prisoners  were  not  thus  encumbered.  There 
were  about  two  hundred  prisoners  on  the  island,  all  of  whom 
were  very  closely  guarded.  In  the  spring  of  1782,  Sammons  or 
ganized  a  conspiracy  with  nine  of  his  fellow  prisoners,  to  make 
their  escape,  by  seizing  a  provision  boat,  and  had  well  nigh 
effected  their  object.  Being  discovered,  however,  their  purpose 
was  defeated,  and  Sammons,  as  the  ringleader,  once  more  placed 


FREDERICK  SAMMONS.  107 

in  irons.     But  at  the  end  of  five  weeks,  the  irons  were  removed, 
and  he  was  allowed  to  return  to  his  hut. 

"Impatient  of  such  protracted  captivity,  Frederick  was  still 
bent  on  escaping,  for  which  purpose  he  induced  a  fellow  prisoner, 
by  the  name  of  M'Mullen,  to  join  him  in  the  daring  exploit  of 
seeking  an  opportunity  to  plunge  into  the  river,  and  taking  their 
chance  of  swimming  to  the  shore.  A  favorable  moment  for  at 
tempting  the  bold  adventure,  was  afforded  on  the  1 7th  of  August. 
The  prisoners  having,  to  the  number  of  fifty,  been  allowed  to 
walk  to  the  foot  of  the  island,  but  around  the  whole  of  which  a 
chain  of  sentinels  was  extended,  Sammons  and  M'Mullen,  without 
having  conferred  with  any  one  else,  watching  an  opportunity 
when  the  nearest  sentinel  turned  his  back  upon  them,  quietly 
glided  down  beneath  a  shelving  rock,  and  plunged  into  the 
stream — each  holding  up  and  waving  a  hand,  in  token  of  fare 
well  to  their  fellow  prisoners,  as  the  surge  swept  them  rapidly 
down  the  stream.  The  sentinel  was  distant  about  six  rods  when 
they  threw  themselves  into  the  river,  and  did  not  discover  their 
escape  until  they  were  beyond  the  reach  of  any  molestation  he 
could  offer  them.  Threes  quarters  of  a  mile  below  the  island,  the 
rapids  were  such  as  to  heave  the  river  into  swell,  too  large  for 
boats  to  encounter.  This  was  a  frightful  part  of  their  voyage. 
Both,  however,  were  expert  swimmers,  and  by  diving  as  they  ap 
proached  each  successive  surge,  both  succeeded  in  making  the 
perilous  passage — the  distance  of  this  rapid  being  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  rods.  As  they  plunged  successively  into  these 
rapids,  they  had  little  expectation  of  meeting  each  other  again  in 
this  world.  But  a  protecting  Providence  ordered  it  otherwise, 
and  they  emerged  from  the  frightful  billows  quite  near  each  other. 
'  I  am  glad  to  see  you,'  said  Sammons  to  his  friend  ;  '  I  feared  wo 


108  NARRATIVE  OF 

should  not  meet  again.'  'We  have  had  a  merry  ride  of  it,'  re 
plied  the  other;  'but  we  could  not  have  stood  it  much  longer.' 
"  The  adventurous  fellows  attempted  to  land  about  two  miles 
below  the  island,  but  the  current  was  so  violent  as  to  baffle  their 
purpose,  and  they  were  driven  two  miles  farther,  when  they  hap 
pily  succeeded  in  reaching  the  land,  at  a  place  on  the  north  side 
of  the  St.  Lawrence,  called  by  the  Canadians  '  The  Devil's  Point.' 
A  cluster  of  houses  stood  near  the  river,  into  some  of  which  it 
was  necessary  the  fugitives  should  go  to  procure  provisions. 
They  had  preserved  each  a  knife  and  tinder-box  in  their  waist 
coat  pockets,  and  one  of  the  first  objects,  after  arming  themselves 
with  substantial  clubs,  was  to  procure  a  supply  of  tinder.  This 
was  effected  by  boldly  entering  a  house  and  rummaging  an  old 
lady's  work-basket.  The  good  woman,  frightened  at  the  appear 
ance  of  the  visitors,  ran  out  and  alarmed  the  village — the  inhab 
itants  of  which  were  French.  In  the  meantime,  they  searched  the 
house  for  provisions,  fire-arms,  and  ammunition,  but  found  none 
of  the  latter,  and  only  a  single  loaf  of  bread.  They  also  plun 
dered  the  house  of  a  blanket,  blanket-coat,  and  a  few  other  arti 
cles  of  clothing.  By  this  time,  the  people  began  to  collect  in  such 
numbers,  that  a  precipitate  retreat  was  deemed  advisable. 
M'Mullen,  being  seized  by  two  Canadians,  was  only  released  from 
their  grasp  by  the  well-directed  blows  of  Frederick's  club.  They 
both  then  commenced  running  for  the  woods,  when  Sammons, 
encumbered  with  his  luggage,  unluckily  fell,  and  the  loaf  rolled 
away  from  him.  The  peasants  now  rushed  upon  them,  and  their 
only  course  was  to  give  battle,  which  they  prepared  to  do  in  earn 
est;  whereupon,  seeing  their  resolution,  the  pursuers  retreated 
almost  as  rapidly  as  they  advanced.  This  demonstration  gave  the 
fugitives  time  to  collect  and  arrange  their  plunder,  and  commence 


FREDERICK  SAMMONS.  109 

their  travels  anew.      Taking  to  the  woods,  they  found  a  resting 
place,  where  they  halted  until  nightfall.     They  then  sallied  forth 
once  more  in  search  of  provisions,  with  which  it  was  necessary  to 
provide  themselves,  before  coming  to  the  south  side  of  the  river, 
where,  at  that  day,  there  were  no  settlements.     The  cattle  fled  at 
their  approach  ;  but  they  at  length  came  upon  a  calf  in  a  farm 
yard,  which  they  captured,  and  appropriating  to  their  own  use 
and  behoof  a  canoe  moored  in  the  river,  they  embarked  with  their 
prize,  to  cross  over  to  the  southern  shore,  but  alas !  when  in  the 
middle  of  the  stream,  their  paddle  broke,  and  they  were  in  a  mea 
sure  left  to  the  mercy  of  the  flood,  which   was  hurrying  them  on 
ward,  as  they  well  knew,  toward  the  rapids  or  falls  of  the  Cedars. 
There  was  an  island  above  the  rapids,  from  the  bank  of  which  a 
tree  had  fallen  into  the  river.     Fortunately,  the  canoe  was  swept 
by  the  current  into  the  brandies  of  this  tree  top,  among  which  it 
became  entangled.     While  struggling  in  this  predicament,  the 
canoe  was  upset.     Being  near  shore,  however,  the  navigators  got 
to  land  without  losing  the  calf.     Striking  a  fire,  they  now  dressed 
their  veal,  and  on   the  following  morning,  by  towing  their  canoe 
along  shore,  to  the  south  edu'e  of  the  island,  succeeded  in  crossing 
to  their  own  side  of  the  river.     They  then  plunged  directly  into 
the  unbroken  forest,  extending  from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Sa- 
condaga,  and  after  a  journey  of  twelve  days  of  excessive  hardship, 
emerged  from  the  woods  within  six  miles  of  the  point  for  which 
without  chart  or  compass,  Sammons  had  laid  his  course.     Their 
provisions  lasted  but  a  few  days,  and  their  only  subsequent  food 
consisted  .of  roots  and  herbs.     The  whole  journey  was  made  almost 
in  a  state  of  nudity — both  being  destitute  of  pantaloons,     Having 
worn  out  their  hats  upon  their  feet,  the  last  three  days  they  were 
compelled  to  travel  bare-footed.     Long  before  their  journey  was 


110  DEBORAH    SAMSON 

ended,  therefore,  their  feet  were  dreadfully  lacerated  and  swollen. 
On  arriving  at  Schenectady  the  inhabitants  were  alarmed  at  their 
wild  and  savage  appearance — half  naked,  with  lengthened  beards 
and  matted  hair.  The  people  at  length  gathered  round  them 
with  strange  curiosity ;  but  when  they  made  themselves  known,  a 
lady  named  Ellis,  rushed  through  the  crowd  to  grasp  the  hand  of 
Frederick,  and  was  so  much  affected  at  his  altered  appearance 
that  she  fainted  and  fell.  The  welcome  fugitives  were  forthwith 
supplied  with  whatever  food  and  raiment  was  necessary ;  and 
young  Sammons  soon  joined  his  family,  Av-ho  had  long  given  him 
up  as  lost,  and  who  now  received  him  with  unspeakable  joy,  as 
one  who  had  arisen  from  the  dead." 

Jacob  Sammons  died  in  1810.  Frederick  and  Thomas  Sum 
mons  have  since  figured  in  the  affairs  of  their  country.  Thomas 
for  several  years,  represented  his  native  county,  Montgomery,  in 
Congress ;  and  in  1836,  Frederick  was  chosen  as  elector  for  Presi 
dent 'and  Vice  President.  A  few  years  since,  they  were  both 
alive,  and  were  highly  respected,  and  "  prosperous  gentlemen." 


DEBORAH   SAMSON. 

IT  is  not  generally  known  that  in  the  war  of  Independence 
there  figured  a  character  of  scarcely  less  romantic  interest  than 
the  maid  of  old  whose  name  so  abounds  in  song  and  history. 

Deborah  Samson  was  the  daughter  of  obscure  parents  in  Ply 
mouth,  Massachusetts.  Poverty  and  evil  example  accompanied 
her  childhood,  but  charity  interfered,  and  the  young  girl  was  res 
cued  from  a  position  that  threatened  her  with  misery  and  placed 


DEBORAH     SAMSON.  Hi 

with  those  from  whom  she  received  kindly  treatment  and  every 
physical  comfort.  But  her  education  was  neglected.  She,  how 
ever,  began  to  feel  her  inferiority  in  this  point,  and  made  every 
exertion  in  acquiring  knowledge.  By  her  own  unaided  exertions 
she  succeeded  in  learning  to  read  tolerably  well.  When  her  term 
of  apprenticeship  expired,  she  went  into  service,  but  as  her  main 
object  was  to  acquire  an  education,  she  made  an  arrangement 
whereby  she  was  to  devote  but  half  of  her  time  in  return  for  her 
board  and  clothing,  and  the  remainder  to  an  attendance  upon  the 
common  district  school.  Here  she  progressed  in  her  studies  with 
irreat  rapidity,  and  evinced  a  superior  mind  in  her  appetite  for 
knowledge,  and  her  determination  to  procure  it  in  the  face  of  all 
obstacles. 

"  Meantime  the  Revolutionary  struggle  had  commenced.  The 
gloom  that  had  accompanied  the  outburst  of  the  storm,  hung  over 
the  whole  land ;  the  news  of  the  carnage  on  the  plains  of  Lexing 
ton  ;  the  sound  of  the  cannon  at  Bunker's  Hill,  had  reached  every 
dwelling  and  vibrated  on  the  heart  of  every  patriot  in  New  Eng 
land.  The  zeal  which  had  urged  the  men  to  quit  their  homes  for 
the  battle  field,  found  its  way  to  a  female  bosom ;  Deborah  felt  as 
if  she  would  shrink  from  no  eifort  or  sacrifice  in  the  cause  which 
awakened  all  her  enthusiasm.  She  entered  with  the  most  lively 
interest  into  every  plan  for  the  relief  of  the  army,  and  bitterly 
regretted  that,  as  a  woman,  she  could  do  no  more,  and  that  she 
had  not  the  privilege  of  a  man,  of  shedding  her  blood  for  her 
country. 

"  There  is  no  reason  to  believe  that  any  consideration  foreign  to 
the  purest  patriotism,  impelled  her  to  the  resolution  of  assuming 
male  attire  and  enlisting  in  the  army.  She  could  have  been  ac 
tuated  by  no  desire  of  gaining  applause ;  for  the  private  manner 


112  DEBORAH    SAMSON. 

in  which  she  quitted  her  home  and  associates,  entrusting  no  one 
with  her  design,  subjected  her  to  surmises  of  a  painful  nature ; 
and  the  careful  preservation  of  her  secret  during  the  period  of 
her  military  service,  exonerates  her  from  the  least  suspicion  of 
having  been  urged  to  the  step  by  an  imprudent  attachment.  It 
is  very  likely  that  her  youthful  imagination  was  kindled  by  the 
rumor  of  brave  deeds,  and  that  her  visions  of  '  the  camp's  stir  and 
crowd  and  ceaseless  'larum'  were  colored  richly  by  the  hue  of  fancy. 
Curiosity  to  see  and  partake  of  this  varied  war-life,  the  restlessness 
of  '  a  heart  unsouled  and  solitary ' — the  consuming  of  energies 
which  had  no  object  to  work  upon,  may  have  contributed  to  the 
forming  of  her  determinatian.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind,  too, 
that  she  was  restrained  by  no  consideration  that  could  interfere 
with  the  project.  Alone  in  the  world,  there  were  few  to  inquire 
what  had  become  of  her,  and  still  fewer  to  care  for  her  fate.  She 
felt  herself  accountable  to  no  human  being. 

"  By  keeping  the  district  school  for  a  summer  term,  she  had 
amassed  the  sum  of  twelve  dollars.  She  purchased  a  quantity  of 
coarse  fustian,  and  working  at  intervals  when  she  could  be  secure 
from  observation,  made  up  a  suit  of  men's  clothing ;  each  article, 
as  it  was  finished,  being  hid  in  a  stack  of  hay.  Having  completed 
her  preparations,  she  announced  her  intention  of  going  where  she 
could  obtain  better  wages  for  her  labor.  Her  new  clothes,  and 
such  articles  as  she  wished  to  take  with  her,  were  tied  in  a  bundle. 
The  lonely  girl  departed ;  but  went  not  far,  probably  only  to  the 
shelter  of  the  nearest  wood,  before  putting  on '  the  disguise  she 
was  so  eager  to  assume.  Although  not  beautiful,  her  features 
were  animated  and  pleasing,  and  her  figure,  tall  for  a  woman,  was 
finely  proportioned.  As  a  man,  she  might  have  been  called  hand- 


DEBORAH    SAMSON.  113 

some ;  but  her  general  appearance  was  extremely  prepossessing, 
and  her  manner  calculated  to  inspire  confidence. 

"  She  now  pursued  her  way  to  the  American  army,  where  she 
presented  herself  in  October,  1778,  as  a  young  man  anxious  to 
join  his  efforts  to  those  of  his  countrymen  in  their  endeavors  to 
oppose  the  common  enemy.  She  was  received  and  enrolled  in 
the  army  under  the  name  of  Robert  Shirtliffe. 

"  For  three  years  our  heroine  appeared  in  the  character  of  a 
soldier.  During  this  time,  her  exemplary  conduct,  and  the  fidel 
ity  with  which  her  duties  were  performed,  gained  the  approbation 
and  confidence  of  the  officers.  She  was  a  volunteer  in  several 
hazardous  enterprises,  and  was  twice  wounded,  the  first  time  by  a 
sword  cut  on  the  left  side  of  the  head.  Many  were  the  adven 
tures  she  passed  through  ;  as  she  herself  would  often  say,  volumes 
might  be  filled  with  them.  Sometimes  placed  unavoidably  in 
circumstances  in  which  she  feared  detection,  she  nevertheless  es 
caped  without  the  least  suspicion  being  awakened  among  her 
comrades.  The  soldiers  were  in  the  habit  of  calling  her  '  Molly,' 
in  playful  allusion  to  her  want  of  a  beard ;  but  not  one  of  them 
ever  dreamed  that  the  gallant  youth  fighting  by  their  side  was  in 
reality  a  female. 

"  About  four  months  after  her  first  wound  she  received  another 
severe  one,  being  shot  through  the  shoulder.  Her  emotion  when 
the  ball  entered  she  described  to  be  a  sickening  terror  at  the  pro 
bability  that  her  sex  would  be  discovered.  She  felt  that  death  on 
the  battle-field  were  preferable  to  the  shame  that  would  over 
whelm  her,  and  ardently  prayed  that  the  wound 'might  close  her 
earthly  campaign.  But,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  she  escaped  this 
time  also  unsuspected ;  and  soon  recovering  her  strength,  was 
able  again  to  take  her  place  at  the  post  of  duty  and  in  the  deadly 


114  DEBORAH    SAMSON. 

conflict.  Her  immunity  was  not,  however,  destined  long  to  con 
tinue — she  was  seized  with  a  brain  fever,  then  prevalent  among 
the  soldiers.  For  the  few  days  that  reason  struggled  against  the 
disease,  her  sufferings  were  indescribable ;  and  most  terrible  of  all 
was  the  dread  least  consciousness  should  desert  her,  and  the  secret 
she  had  guarded  so  carefully,  be  revealed  to  those  around  her. 
She  was  carried  to  the  hospital,  and  there  could  only  ascribe  her 
escape  to  the  number  of  patients,  and  the  negligent  manner  in 
which  they  were  attended.  Her  case  was  considered  a  hopeless 
one,  and  she  perhaps  received  less  attention  on  that  account.  One 
day  the  physician  of  the  hospital,  inquiring — '  How  is  Robert  ?" 
received  from  the  nurse  in  attendance  the  answer — '  Poor  Bob  is 
gone.'  The  doctor  went  to  the  bed,  and  taking  the  hand  of  the 
youth  supposed  dead,  found  that  the  pulse  was  still  feebly  beating ; 
attempting  to  place  his  hand  on  the  heart,  he  perceived  that  a 
bandage  was  fastened  tightly  round  the  heart.  This  was  removed, 
and  to  his  utter  astonishment  he  discovered  a  female  patient, 
where  he  had  least  expected  one  ! 

*  This  gentleman  was  Dr.  Birney,  of  Philadelphia.  With  a  pru 
dence,  delicacy  and  generosity  ever  afterwards  warmly  appreciated 
by  the  unfortunate  sufferer,  he  said  not  a  word  of  his  discovery, 
but  paid  her  every  attention,  and  provided  every  comfort  her 
perilous  condition  required.  As  soon  as  she  could  be  removed 
with  safety,  he  had  her  taken  to  his  own  house,  where  she  could 
receive  better  care.  His  family  wondered  not  a  little  at  the  un 
usual  interest  manifested  for  the  poor  invalid  soldier. 

"  Here  occurred  one  of  those  romances  in  real  life,  which  in 
strangeness  surpass  fiction.  The  doctor  had  a  young  and  lovely 
niece,  an  heiress  to  considerable  property,  whose  compassionate 
feelings  led  her  to  join  her  uncle  in  bestowing  kindness  on  the 


DEBORAH    SAMSON.  115 

• 

friendless  youth.  Many  censured  the  uncle's  imprudence,  in  per 
mitting  them  to  be  so  much  in  each  other's  society,  and  to  take 
drives  so  frequent  together.  The  doctor  laughed  to  himself,  at 
the  warnings  and  hints  he  received,  and  thought  how  foolish  the 
censorious  would  feel,  when  the  truth  should  come  out.  His 
knowledge,  meanwhile,  was  buried  in  his  own  bosom,  nor  shared 
even  with  the  members  of  his  family.  The  niece  was  allowed  to 
be  as  much  with  the  invalid  as  suited  her  pleasure.  Her  gentle 
heart  was  touched,  by  the  misfortunes  she  had  contributed  to 
alleviate ;  the  pale  and  melancholy  soldier,  for  whose  fate  no  one 
seemed  to  care,  who  had  no  possession  in  the  world  save  his  sword, 
who  had  suffered  so  much  in  the  cause  of  liberty,  became  dear  to 
her.  She  saw  his  gratitude  for  the  benefits  and  kindness  received, 
yet  knew  by  intuition,  that  he  would  never  dare  to  aspire  to  the 
hand  of  one  so  gifted  in  fortune.  In  the  confiding  abandonment 
of  woman's  love,  the  fair  girl  made  known  her  attachment,  and 
offered  to  provide  for  the  education  of  its  object,  before  marriage. 
Deborah  often  declared,  that  the  moment  in  which  she  learned 
that  she  had  unwillingly  gained  the  love  of  a  being  so  guileless, 
was  fraught  with  the  keenest  anguish  she  ever  experienced.  In 
return  for  the  hospitality  and  tender  care,  that  had  been  lavished 
upon  her,  she  had  inflicted  pain  upon  one  she  would  have  died  to 
shield.  No  way  of  amends  seemed  open,  except  confession  of  her 
real  character,  and  to  that,  though  impelled  by  remorse  and  self- 
reproach,  she  could  not  bring  herself.  She  merely  said  to  the 
generous  girl  that  they  would  meet  again ;  and  though  ardently 
desiring  the  possession  of  an  education,'  that  she  could  not  avail 
herself  of  the  noble  offer.  Before  her  departure,  the  young  lady 
pressed  on  her  acquaintance,  several  articles  of  clothing,  such  as 
in  those  times,  many  of  the  soldiers  received  from  fair  hands.  All 


116  DEBORAH  SAMSON. 

these  were  afterwards  lost,  by  the  upsetting  of  a  boat,  except  the 
shirt  and  vest  Robert  had  on  at  the  time,  which  are  still  preserved 
as  relics  in  the  family. 

"  Her  health  being  now  restored,  the  physician  had  a  long  con 
ference  with  the  commanding  officer  of  the  company  in  which 
Robert  had  served,  and  this  was  followed  by  an  order  to  the  youth 
to  carry  a  letter  to  General  Washington. 

"  Her  worst  fears  were  now  confirmed.  From  the  time  of  her 
removal  into  the  doctor's  family,  she  had  cherished  a  misgiving  ; 
which  sometimes  amounted  almost  to  a  certainty,  that  he  had 
discovered  her  deception.  In  conversation  with  him,  she  anxiously 
watched  his  countenance,  but  not  a  word  or  look  indicated  sus 
picion,  and  she  had  again  flattered  herself  that  she  was  safe  from 
detection.  When  the  order  came  for  her  to  deliver  a  letter  into 
the  hands  of  the  comm  an  der-in -chief,  she  could  no  longer  deceive 
herself. 

"  There  remained  no  course  but  simple  obedience.  When  she 
presented  herself  fo.i  admission  at  the  head-quarters  of  Washing 
ton,  she  trembled  as  she  had  never  done  before  the  enemy's  fire. 
Her  heart  sank  within  her ;  she  strove  in  vain  to  collect  and  com 
pose  herself,  and  overpowered  with  dread  and  uncertainty,  was 
usherd  into  the  presence  of  the  Chief.  He  noticed  her  extreme 
agitation,  and  supposing  it  to  proceed  from  diffidence,  kindly  en 
deavored  to  re-assure  her.  He  then  bade  her  retire  Avith  an  at 
tendant,  who  was  directed  to  offer  her  some  refreshment,  while 
he  read  the  communication  of  which  she  had  been  the  bearer. 

"  Within  a  short  time,  she  was  again  summoned  into  the  pres 
ence  of  Washington.  He  said  not  a  word,  but  handed  her  in 
silence  a  discharge  from  the  service,  putting  into  her  hand  at  the 
same  time,  a  note  containing  a  few  brief  words  of  advice,  and  n 


JOSEPH  BETTYS.  117 

sum  of  money  sufficient  to  bear  her  expenses  to  some  place  where 
bhe  might  find  a  home.  The  delicacy  and  forbearance  thus  ob 
served,  affected  her  sensibly.  'How  thankful' — she  has  often 
said, '  was  I  to  that  great  and  good  man,  who  so  kindly  spared 
my  feelings  !  He  saw  me  ready  to  sink  with  shame ;  one  word 
from  him  at  that  moment,  would  have  crushed  me  to  the  earth. 
But  he  spoke  no  word — and  I  blessed  him.' 

"  After  the  war,  she  married  Benjamin  Gannett  of  Sharon. — 
It  is  but  a  few  years  since,  she  passed  from  the  stage  of  human 
life.  Her  career  to  which  her  patriotism  urged  her,  cannot  be 
commended  as  an  example :  but  her  exemplary  conduct  after  the 
first  step,  will  go  far  to  plead  her  excuse."* 


JOSEPH  BETTYS. 

•• 

JOSEPH,  or  "  Joe  Bettys,"  was  a  remarkable  character,  who  fig 
ured  in  the  border  wars  of  the  revolution.  He  was  a  renegade 
from  the  American  army,  and  for  a  long  while  was  the  scourge 
of  the  New  York  frontier ;  his  deeds  were  marked  by  an  equal 
boldness  and  cruelty,  that  made  him  the  terror  of  all  who  had  the 
misfortune  to  be  ranked  as  his  enemies.  His  principal  employ 
ment,  was  the  abduction  of  citizens  to  be  conveyed  into  Canada, 
for  each  of  whom  he  received  a  bounty  ;  and  in  his  expeditions 
for  this  purpose,  he  was  always  accompanied  by  small  bodies  of 
Indians.  His  hour  for  executing  his  projects,  was  at  night,  and  it 
frequently  happened  that  his  conduct  was  not  confined  to  tho 

*  Mrs.  Ellett. 


118  JOSEPH  BETTYS. 

securing  of  prisoners,  but  he  often  revelled  in  the  destruction  of 
property  and  the  infliction  of  cruelty,  and  his  victims  were  often 
tormented  by  every  means  his  savage  ingenuity  could  devise. 
Cold  blooded  murder,  and  reckless  barbarities  of  every  kind,  con 
tinually  stained  his  soul.  The  section  of  country  which  suffered 
from  his  marauding  expiditions,  to  this  day  is  rife  with  stories  of 
his  daring  and  ferocity. 

In  the  year  1776,  he  entered  as  sergeant  in  the  New  York 
forces,  in  which  capacity  he  served  his  country  faithfully,  until 
being  exasperated  at  the  treatment,  which  he  received  from  one 
of  his  superior  officers,  and  retorting  with  threats  and  meriances, 
he  was  reduced  to  the  position  of  a  common  sentinel.  This  was 
more  than  he  could  bear,  and  he  would  have  deserted,  had  not 
Lieutenant  Ball,  who  had  before  befriended  him,  anticipating  such 
a  step,  applied  and  procured  for  him,  appointment  as  sergeant  on 
board  on  one  of  the  vessels  on  Lake  Champlain,  commanded  by 
Arnold,  which  he  accepted.  In  an  action  tha£  ensued,  Bettys 
displayed  a  wonderful  daring  and  gallantry,  which  receiving  no 
other  notice  than  the  thanks  of  his  General,  he  conceived  himself 
slighted,  and  determined  to  retaliate.  In  the  spring  of  1777,  he 
deserted,  and  went  over  to  the  British  forces,  where  he  was  soon 
elevated  to  the  position  of  a  spy,  in  which  character  he  carried  on 
the  depredations  we  have  spoken  of. 

Among  the  prisoners  that  he  secretly  seized  and  carried  off  in 
the  early  part  of  his  career,  was  Samuel  Patchim,  afterwards  a 
captain  in  the  army.  The  account  of  his  captivity  and  subsequent 
hardships,  as  here  given,  is  as  it  was  related  by  himself : — 

"  I  was  captured  by  Bettys,  taken  into  Canada,  and  confined 
in  Chamblee  prison,  in  irons.  I  was  the  only  prisoner  whom  he 
had  on  this  occasion  brought  into  Canada.  There  wer&  six  or 


JOSEPH    BETTYS.  119 

seven  more  of  my  neighbors,  when  we  started,  to  whom  he  gave 
the  oath  of  allegiance,  and  sent  them  back.  As  for  myself,  he 
said  I  had  served  Congress  long  enough,  and  that  I  should  now 
serve  the  king.  He  wished  me  to  enlist  in  his  company,  but  soon 
found  that  this  was  not  agreeable  to  my  feelings.  He  then  swore, 
that  if  I  would  not  serve  the  king,  I  should  remain  in  irons.  1 
was  confined  in  Chamblee  prison  four  months ;  then  I  was  re 
moved  to  Montreal,  and  thence  to  an  island,  forty-five  miles  up 
the  St.  Lawrence,  opposite  Cadalake  Fort.  There  I  remained 
about  one  year.  There  were  five  prisoners  in  all,  and  we  were 
guarded  by  sixty  soldiers  !  seven  sentinels  at  night. 

"  They  had  left  no  boats  on  the  island  by  which  we  might 
make  our  escape,  yet  we  all  crawled  out  of  the  barracks  at  night, 
and  went  to  the  river  side,  there  we  made  a  raft  by  means  of  two 
or  three  logs  and  our  suspenders,  on  which  we  sailed  down  the 
river  five  miles,  when  we  landed  on  the  Canada  shore.  There  we 
appropriated  to  our  own  use,  a  boat  belonging  to  the  British,  and 
crossed  over  to  the  American  shore.  While  going  down  the 
rapids,  we  had  lost  our  little  stock  of  provisions,  and  for  eight 
days  out  of  twelve  which  we  spent  in  the  woods,  we  had  nothing 
to  eat  save  frogs,  and  rattlesnakes,  and  not  half  enough  of  them. 
We  were  chased  eight  days  by  the  Indians,  and  slept  every  night 
on  the  boughs  of  some  hemlock  trees.  At  length  we  arrived  at 
Northwest  Bay,  on  Lake  Champlain,  when  my  companions,  un 
able  longer  to  travel,  utterly  gave  out.  I  then  constructed  a  raft 
on  which  to  cross  the  lake,  and  having  stripped  my  companions 
of  their  clothing,  in  order  to  make  myself  comfortable,  left  them 
to  die  of  hunger  and  fatigue,  and  committed  myself  to  the  wintry 
waves.  When  in  about  the  centre  of  the  lake,  I  was  taken  by 
the  crew  of  a  British  ship,  and  conveyed  to  St.  John's,  from  thence 


120  JOSEPH    BETTYS. 

to  Quebec,  and  finally  to  Boston,  where  I  was  exchanged  and 
sent  home." 

Bettys  seemed  to  have  a  particular  delight  in  taking  prisoners 
among  his  own  townsmen,  and  especially  those  against  whom  he 
held  any  grudge.  On  one  occasion,  having  taken  one  whom 
he  supposed  to  be  the  object  he  sought,  and  his  prisoner  mana 
ging  to  escape,  he  deliberately  shot  him  dead,  and  then  discovered 
that  he  had  made  a  fatal  mistake,  and  killed  one  of  his  best 
friends. 

But  his  bloody  career  was  destined  to  find  a  retributive  end. 
One  day,  in  the  winter  of  1781-2,  a  suspicious  looking  person 
.was  seen  to  pass  oyer  the  farm  of  one  John  Fulmer,  situated  near 
Ballston  Lake,  in  Albany  county.  A  son  of  the  farmer,  Jacob, 
immediately  obtained  the  aid  of  three  of  his  neighbors,  James 
and  John  Cory,  and  Francis  Perkins,  and  Started  in  pursuit  of 
the  suspicious  stranger.  There  was  a  light  fall  of  snow  on  the 
ground,  by  which  means  his  course  was  easily  tracked.  But  we 
will  give  an  account  of  the  enterprise  in  the  words,  of  Jacob  Ful 
mer,  one  of  the  party : — 

"  The  morning  had  been  foggy,  and  it  appeared  by  the  trackj 
that  the  man  had  made  a  circuitous  route,  as  if  lost  or  bewildered. 
After  making  several  turns,  we  came  at  length  in  sight  of  a  log 
house,  where  one  Hawkins,  a  noted  toiy,  lived,  toward  which  it 
appeared,  he  had  laid  a  regular  line.  We  followed  the  track, 
and  found  that  it  went  into  the  house.  We  approached  undis 
covered,  for  the  snow  was  soft,  and  our  footsteps  were  not  heard. 
We  went  up  to  the  door,  and  found  it  was  unfastened,  but  heard 
people  talking  within. 

"John  Cory,  who  was  the  strongest  of  the  party,  now  went  for 
ward,  we  following  closely  behind,  and  burst  open  the  door.  The 


JOSEPH    BETTYS.  121 

man,  w  ho  was  the  object  of  our  suspicions  and  search,  sat  at  the 
table  eating  his  breakfast,  with  'the  muzzle  of  his  gun  leaning" 
upon  his  shoulder,  and  the  breech  upon  the  floor  between  his 
legs.  He  grasped  his  musket  and  presented  it  to  fire  at  us,  but 
was  hindered  for  a  moment  to  remove  the  deer  skin  covering 
from  the  lock,  and  that  moment  lost  his  life.  We  seized  him, 
took  possession  of  his  gun,  and  also  two  pistols,  which  he  had  in 
his  coat  pockets,  and  a  common  jack-knife.  We  then  bound  his 
arms  behind  him,  with  a  pocket  handkerchief,  and  conveyed  him 
to  my  father's  house.  As  yet,  we  knew  not  the  name  of  our  pris 
oner,  but  having  asked  him,  he  said.  '  my  name  is  Smith.' 

"  My  mother  knew  him,  and  said,  '  It  is  Joe  Bettys.'  He  hung 
his  head,  and  said,  '  Xo,  my  name  is  Smith.'  My  sister  Polly 
then  came  to  the  door  and  said,  ;  This  is  Joe  Bettys — I  know  him 
well.'  She  had  known  him  before  he  went  to  Canada,  as  he  had 
boarded  at  Lawrence  Van  Kpps,  in  Schenectady  Patent,  while  she 
lived  in  the  same  house. 

"  We  then  conveyed  him  to  John  Cory's  house,  about  a  quar 
ter  of  a  mile  distant,  where  we  pinioned  him  more  firmly.  He 
sat  down  in  a  chair  by  the  fire,  and  asked  permission  to  smoke 
which  was  granted,  and  he  then  took  out  his  tobacco  box,  and 
seemed  to  be  engaged  in  filling  his  pipe,  but  as  he  stooped  down, 
under  pretence  of  lighting  it,  he  threw  something  toward  the  fire 
which  bounded  from  the  forestick  and  fell  upon  the  hearth.  He 
then  seized  it,  and  threw  it  into  the  fire,  before  any  one  could 
prevent.  John  Cory  then  snatched  it  from  the  fire,  with  a  hand 
ful  of  live  coals.  It  was  not  injured.  It  was  a  piece  of  lead 
about  three  inches  long,  and  one  and  a  quarter  inches  wide, 
pressed  together,  and  contained  within  it,  a  small  piece  of  paper, 
on  which  were  twenty-six  figures,  which  none  of  our  company 


122  MR.  AND  MRS.  FISHER. 

could  understand.  It  also  contained  an  order,  drawn  on  the 
mayor  of  New  York,  for  thirty  pounds  sterling,  payable  on  the 
delivery  of  the  sheet-lead  and  paper  enclosed.  Bettys  showed 
much  uneasiness  at  the  loss  of  the  lead,  and  offered  one  hundred 
guineas  to  allow  him  to  burn  the  paper.  This  we  refused,  for, 
though  we  did  not  understand  the  figures,  we  well  knew  the 
character  of  Bettys,  as  I  had  heard  that  he  had  killed  two  men 
at  Shenesborough,  near  Whitehall,  for  fear  of  being  betrayed  in 
regard  to  the  burning  and  plundering  of  a  house  in  Chauglma- 
waga,  and  that  he  was  generally  known  as  a  spy." 

The  narrative  goes  on  to  give  the  particulars  of  the  journey  to 
Albany,  and  the  precautions  taken  to  convey  their  prisoner  safely 
through  a  district,  abounding  with  tories  who  were  affected  to 
Bettys,  but  no  rescue  was  attempted. 

Much  rejoicing  was  expressed,  at  the  capture  of  the  notorious 
Bettys,  and  when  lie  was  marched  through  Albany,  the  people 
gathered  in  maases  to  look  upon  him.  In  a  short  time,  he  was 
brought  to  trial,  on  the  charge  of  being  a  spy,  found  guilty,  con 
demned,  and  accordingly  executed  in  the  month  of  April,  1782.* 


MR.  AND  MRS.  FISHER. 

IN  the  town  of  North  Castle,  Westchester  Co.,  N.  Y.,  resided 
during  the  war  of  Independence.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fisher,  a  young 
married  couple,  who  were  both  heart  and  soul  enlisted  in  the  pat 
riotic  cause,  and  whose  best  services  were  devoted  to  their  coun- 

*  Prepared  from  a  Paper  by  Joseph  L.  Chester,  Esq. 


MR.  AND  MRS.  FISHER.  123 

try.  Mr.  Fisher  was  an  efficient  and  active  member  of  a  partisan 
band,  under  Major  Paulding,  whose  confidence  and  esteem  he 
always  enjoyed  to  an  eminent  degree,  and  who  by  his  unflinching 
patriotism,  and  the  energy  and  skill  with  which  he  thwarted  the 
plans  and  designs  of  the  tones,  made  himself  particularly  obnox 
ious  to  them.  His  active  duties  as  a  scout,  sometimes  kept  him 
for  months  from  his  home,  where  his,  young  wife  had  nothing  but 
her  heroism  of  spirit  to  oppose  to  the  marauding  bands  that  tra 
versed  the  "  Neutral  Ground,"  and  whose  creed  it  was,  to  make 
war  upon  women  and  children  indiscriminately.  While  the  high- 
minded  whig,  therefore,  was  serving  his  country,  in  the  swamp 
and  on  the  mountain,  the  wife  had  to  undergo  scenes,  requiring 
an  equal  courage  and  fortitude,  with  those  of  his. 

She  was  one  of  those  women  of  the  revolution,  by  whose  in 
domitable  spirit  and  active  benevolence  our  armies  were  often 
held  together,  and  our  soldiers  encouraged  to  persevere  in  the 
glorious  course  they  had  begun.  She  was  without  fear,  and  was 
always  ready  to  serve  her  country,  or  defend  herself,  upon  any 
emergency.  The  American  soldier,  too,  often  found  relief  from 
Buffering,  through  her  benevolence.  She  was  one  of  those,  who 
attended  upon  the  wounded  of  White  Plains,  and  administered 
comfort  to  the  dying,  and  relief  to  the  wounded.  After  this  bat 
tle,  when  Washington's  army  was  encamped  near  her  residence, 
the  commander-in-chief  s  table  was  often  indebted  for  many  of  its 
delicacies,  to  the  prudent  attention  and  care  of  Mrs.  Fisher. 
Washington  often  expressed  his  obligations  to  her  in  person. 

Many  anecdotes  are  related  of  her  daring.  On  one  occasion, 
a  favorite  colt  was  stolen,  when  she  mounted  a  horse  and  rode 
down  to  Morrissania,  where  the  loyalists  were  encamped,  and  de 
manded  of  the  English  officer  in  command,  the  restoration  of  her 


MR.  AND  MRS.  FISHER. 

property.  The  Englishman  courteously  assented,  and  the  colt 
being  found,  it  was  restored  to  her.  This  was  considered  at  the 
time,  a  most  daring  expedition.  Her  route,  which  was  a  long  one, 
was  through  a  section  of  country  beset  with  marauders,  who  were 
never  in  the  habit  of  hesitating  to  make  war  on  a  woman. 

We  remarked  that  the  clanger  from  the  marauding  tory  bands, 
prevented  Mr.  Fisher  from  visiting  his  home,  but  at  long  intervals. 
There  was  one  band  of  lories  notorious  for  its  cruelty,  headed  by 
one  Blindberry,  a  most  blood-thirsty  wretch,  \rliose  memory  to 
this  day,  is  only  preserved  to  be  execrated.  This  fellow  was  the 
terror  of  the  whole  community.  On  one  occasion,  after  having 
been  absent  for  six  months,  Mr.  Fisher's  anxiety  to  see  his  family, 
became  so  great,  that  one  evening  he  cautiously  approached  the 
house,  and  was  admitted  unseen.  Late  that  night,  after  he  had 
retired,  steps  were  heard  without,  and  presently  there  was  a  loud 
knocking  at  the  door,  with  a  peremptory  summons  for  it  to  be 
opened.  This  not  being  heeded,  it  was  repeated,  with  a  threat 
to  break  open  the  door,  if  it  was  not  complied  with.  The  house 
was  a  simple,  old-fashioned  cottage,  the  door  opening  directly 
into  a  room,  which  was  used  by  Mr.  Fisher  and  his  wife  as  a  sleep 
ing  room.  The  party  now  discharged  their  pistols  three  or  four 
times  through  the  window,  but  the  balls  lodged  harmlessly  in  the 
walls.  This  proceeding  effecting  nothing,  they  began  at  once  to 
demolish  the  door,  and  in  a  few  moments  they  burst  roughly  into 
the  room.  Mr.  Fisher  sprang  from  the  bed,  prepared  to  defend 
his  wife  and  himself  to  the  last.  But  the  only  object  of  this  band 
was  plunder.  In  those  times,  the  country  people  were  compelled 
to  convert  their  effects  into  money,  as  everything  moveable,  would 
be  sure  to  be  captured,  and  having  no  means  of  investing  their 
wealth,  it  was  generally  concealed  in  secure  places.  But  these 


MR.  AND  MRS.  FISHER.  125 

concealments  rarely  availed  them  anything,  if  their  persons 
should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  tories,  as  every  means  of  torture 
that  ingenuity  could  suggest,  was  availed  of  to  force  the  hapless 
victims  to  betray  the  hiding  place  of  their  wealth.  Hanging, 
roasting  over  slow  fires,  or  a  pistol  at  the  head,  were  the  usual 
modes  adopted. 

The  tory  leader  who  was  no  other  than  this  same  Blindberry, 
demanded  of  Mr.  Fisher  his  gold.  The  stern  patriot,  who  was  a 
man  of  unconquerable  will,  calmly  refused.  The  mauraders  became 
enraged,  and  he  was  threatened  with  death  if  he  persisted  in  his 
denial.  But  neither  the  flashing  swords  that  gleamed  around 
him,  the  musket  at  his  breast,  nor  the  furious  aspects  of  the 
wretches,  could  move  him  a  jot  from  his  determined  purpose. 
The  word  was  given  to  try  hanging.  In  an  instant  a  rope  was 
thrown  over  the  branch  of  a  tree,  that  stood  by  the  door,  and  their 
victim  was  drawn  beneath  it,  and  the  rope  adjusted  to  his  neck. 
Once  more  he  was  asked  to  give  up  his  money.  Without  the 
tremor  of  a  muscle  he  refused.  The  next  moment  he  was  dang 
ling  high  up  in  the  air.  He  was  allowed  to  suspend  for  a  few 
seconds,  and  lowered  to  the  ground.  His  reply  to  the  same  ques 
tion  was  given,  in  an  undaunted  refusal.  Again  did  his  tormen 
tors  run  him  up  into  the  air ;  but  when  they  again  lowered  him, 
he  had  fainted.  In  a  few  moments,  however,  he  revived,  and  as 
the  knowledge  of  the  affair  gradually  broke  upon  his  mind,  he 
thundered  out,  "No,  not  a  farthing!"  Once  more  did  the 
wretches  swing  him  off,  and  this  time  he  was  kept  suspended  un 
til  they  thought  he  was  dead,  when  they  lowered  him,  and  seeing 
now  no  chance  of  obtaining  the  coveted  gold,  they  departed. 

The  agony  of  the  wife  during  this  scene,  can  only  be  imagined. 
A  tory  was  stationed  by  her  side,  and  with  a  pistol  at  her  head, 


126  MR.  AND  MRS.  FISHER. 

enjoined  silence  on  the  penalty  of  her  life.  In  those  few  minutes 
were  crowded  a  life  of  torture  and  suffering.  When  they  had 
gone,  she  tremblingly  stole  out  to  the  side  of  her  husband,  and 
with  what  little  strength  she  possessed,  dragged  his  lifeless  form 
into  the  house.  With  the  vague  hope  that  he  might  not  bo  dead, 
she  applied  restoratives,  and  soon  had  the  unspeakable  joy  of  de 
tecting  signs  of  life.  Ere  morning,  he  was  entirely  restored,  and 
that  very  day  joined  his  scout. 

Continuing  their  route,  the  tones  fell  upon  several  other  of  the 
neighbors,  all  of  whom  suffered  some  cruelty  at  their  hands.  At 
one  house  they  placed  its  master  in  a  chair,  tied  him  down,  and 
built  a  fire  under  him,  by  which  means  he  was  at  last  compelled 
by  his  unsupportable  agony,  to  reveal  the  hiding  pi  ace  of  his  gold. 
But  a  terrible  retribution  was  preparing  for  them.  Major  Pauld- 
ing  had  gathered  a  party  of  his  men,  and  were  in  hot  pursuit  of 
them.  As  the  Major  wTas  following  up  their  track,  he  stopped  at 
the  residence  of  Mr.  Wright,  an  old  Quaker,  who  felt  a  strong 
sympathy  for  the  American  cause,  but  whose  principles  prevented 
him  from  taking  an  active  part  in  the  contest.  To  the  inquiry  if 
such  a  party  of  tories  as  has  been  described,  was  seen,  the  Quaker 
replied  in  the  affirmative,  pointing  out  the  course  they  had  taken. 

"  What  do  you  say,  my  men,"  said  the  Major  to  his  followers, 
"  shall  wre  follow  them  up  ?"  A  unanimous  assent  wras  given. 

"  Jonathan,  if  thee  wishes  to  see  those  men,"  said  Mr.  Wright 
approaching  Major  Paulding,  with  a  knowing  look,  "if  thee 
wishes  to  see  them  particular,  would  it  not  be  better  for  thee  to 
go  to  "  Brundage's  Corner,"  as  they  are  most  likely  from  the 
north,  and  will  return  that  way.  There  thee  can'st  see  them 
without  doubt." 


MR.  AND  MRS.  FISHER. 

The  shrewd  insinuation  of  the  Quaker,  was  caught  in  an  instant. 
The  place  referred  to,  afforded  a  most  admirable  place  for  an  am 
buscade,  and  by  secreting  themselves  there,  the  enemy  was  cer 
tain  to  fall  into  their  hands. 

The  wliigs  had  not  been  concealed  long,  ere  the  party  was 
heard  approaching.  At  the  signal,  the  patriots  sprang  forward, 
and  discharged  their  weapons.  At  the  very  first  fire,  the  blood 
thirsty  tory  leader  fell,  some  said  from  a  bullet  discharged  by  the 
hand  of  Major  Paulding  himself. 

The  intense  hatred  felt  by  the  people  toward  Blindberry,  and 
the  universal  joy  manifested  at  his  fall,  prompted  some  to  make 
a  public  rejoicing  on  the  event,  and  in  order  to  express  their  un 
compromising  hostility  to  their  foe,  his  body  was  hung  before  the 
assembled  patriots  of  the  district,  amid  their  jeers  and  expressions 
of  pleasure.  Among  the  assembly  was  Mr.  Fisher,  who  but  a  few 
hours  before  had  so  nearly  fallen  a  victim  to  his  cruelty* 

Some  little  time  after  the  preceding  events,  while  Mr.  Fisher 
was  on  another  visit  to  his  family,  sudden  word  was  brought,  that 
the  tories  were  approaching.  This,  as  before,  was  during  the 
night.  Mr.  Fisher  had  reason  to  suppose,  that  the  object  of  this 
party,  was  to  secure  his  person,  and  it  became  necessary  to  obtain 
a  place  of  concealment.  The  most  advantageous  one  that  offered, 
was  beneath  the  flooring,  which  was  loose,  where  was  ample 
room  for  him,  and  where  it  was  hoped,  the  lories  would  not  think 
of  looking  for  their  enemy.  Scarcely  had  he  secreted  himself, 
when  the  tories  appeared.  They  burst  into  the  presence  of  Mrs 
Fisher,  in  a  boisterous  manner,  and  writh  brutal  jests  and  extrava 
gant  threats,  demanded  to  be  informed,  where  her  husband  was. 
To  these  inquiries,  the  undaunted  woman  deigned  no  reply. 

"  Come,  give  us  a  light,"  said  the  leader,  "  that  we  may  ferret 


128  MR.  AND  MRS.  FISHER. 

out  your  rebel  husband's  hiding  place.  I'll  swear,  that  you've 
got  him  stowed  away  somewhere  here." 

"  I  have  no  light,"  was  the  calm  reply.  The  difficulties  of  pro 
curing  stores,  sometimes  left  whig  families  for  weeks  without  the 
common  necessities. 

"  Come  my  woman,  none  of  that !"  broke  in  the  tory ;  "  a  light 
we  want,  and  a  light  we  must  have,  so  bring  out  your  candles !" 

"  I  have  none,"  reiterated  Mrs.  Fisher. 

The  tory,  with  an  oath,  drew  a  pistol,  cocked  it,  and  coming  up 
to  her,  placed  the  muzzle  in  her  face.  "  Look  here,  my  lady," 
said  he,  "  we  know  that  you've  got  your  d d  rebel  of  a  hus 
band  somewhere  about  here,  and  if  you  don't  at  once  give  us  a 
candle,  so  that  we  may  hunt  out  his  hiding  place,  I'll  blow  your 
brains  out." 

"  I  have  told  you,"  replied  the  lady,  "  that  I  have  no  candle ;  I 
cannot  give  you  one,  so  you  may  blow  my  brains  out  the  moment 
you  please."  The  heroic  spirit  that  breathed  in  her  words,  and 
the  firm  look  from  her  undaunted  eye,  convinced  the  tory  that 
she  was  not  to  be  intimidated.  They  were  compelled  to  make 
their  search  in  the  dark.  After  rummaging  into  every  nook  and 
corner  in  vain,  they  gave  up  their  object.  On  several  other  occa 
sions,  Mr.  Fisher  had  similar  narrow  escapes. 

We  cannot  refrain  from  referring  to  one  enterprise  in  which 
Mr.  Fisher  was  engaged,  by  which  means  fifteen  whigs  put  to 
flight,  over  three  hundred  Hessians.  The  news  of  their  approach 
was  spread  abroad,  and  the  utmost  consternation  prevailed.  The 
Hessians  were  always  held  in  great  terror  by  the  country  people. 
On  this  occasion,  they  fled  at  their  approach  into  the  forests  and 
other  secure  fastnesses.  Coney  Hill,  was  the  usual  place  of  re 
treat  on  these  alarms.  This  was  a  hill  somewhat  off  from  the 


MR.  AND  MRS.  FISHER.  129 


main  roads,  and  which  was  surrounded  by  narrow  defiles,  and 
reached  only  through  dense  thickets,  while  its  rocky  and  irregular 
surface,  afforded  a  means  of  defence  impregnable.  No  fortress 
could  have  been  more  secure.  All  the  inhabitants,  therefore,  re 
treated  to  this  fastness,  Mrs.  Fisher  alone  of  all  neighbors,  ven 
turing  to  remain  within  her  own  house. 

The  usual  road  traveled  by  the  armies,  that  led  north  from 
White  Plains,  in  one  place  described  a  wide  circuit,  but  there  was 
a  narrow,  irregular  road,  sometimes  used,  that  shortened  the  dis 
tance  considerably.  But  this  road  was  very  dangerous  to  any 
large  body  of  men.  It  led  by  the  Coney  Hill,  which  we  have 
mentioned,  and  its  whole  length  was  through  a  rocky  region, 
overgrown  with  tangled  thickets  of  laurel,  that  would  have  af 
forded  effectual  protection  and  concealment  to  a  body  of  assailants, 
and  have  made  a  small  force  formidable  to  a  large  one. 

At  a  point  on  this  road,  therefore,  Major  Paulding  and  fifteen 
followers  stationed  themselves,  with  a  belief,  that  from  the  irregu 
lar  and  incautious  manner  the  Hessians  were  marching,  they 
would  be  induced  to  lessen  their  route,  by  taking  the  shorter  cut. 
The  belief  proved  to  be  well  founded.  The  spot  where  Major 
Paulding  posted  his  ambuscade,  was  one  remarkably  well  adapted 
to  that  kind  of  warfare.  It  was,  where  the  road  passing  through 
a  defile,  made  a  sudden  turn  around  a  huge  rock,  and  where  it 
was  so  narrow,  that  six  men  could  not  pass  abreast,  while  the 
whole  rising  ground  on  either  side  was  irregular,  with  rough, 
jagged  rocks,  and  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  laurel. 

Stationed  at  different  points,  and  protected  by  rocky  battle 
ments,  the  little  band  quietly  awaited  the  coming  of  their  enemy. 
At  last  they  appeared,  approaching  carelessly,  and  with  an  utter 
want  of  military  prudence.  Not  a  sound,  nor  a  breath  betrayed 


130  MR.  AND  MRS.  FISHER. 

to  them,  the  presence  of  a  foe.  The  rocks,  and  laurel  bushes, 
gave  forth  no  sign  of  the  deadly  messengers  to  be  launched  from 
their  bosoms.  Part  of  the  Hessians  had  already  passed  the  turn 
of  the  road,  when  suddenly,  like  a  clap  of  thunder  from  an  azure 
sky,  an  explosion  burst  from  the  flinty  rocks  that  surrounded 
them,  and  several  of  their  number,  pitched  headlong  to  the  earth- 
Those  in  front,  panic  struck,  fell  back  upon  those  in  the  rear^ 
while  those  in  the  rear  pressed  forward,  uncertain  of  the  danger, 
and  discharged  their  muskets  into  the  thickets,  but  the  bullets  re 
bounded  harmlessly  from  the  rocky  walls,  that  enclosed  their 
enemy.  Another  volley  completed  their  panic.  Terrified  at  the 
presence  of  an  enemy,  that  seemed  to  fight  from  the  bowels  of 
the  earth,  and  unable  to  estimate  the  full  extent  of  their  danger, 
which  their  imagination  greatly  magnified,  they  gave  a  wild  cry, 
and  fled  precipitately. 

This  event  afforded  the  whigs  for  a  long  time,  much  merriment, 
particularly  as  it  was  accompanied  with  no  loss  to  the  little  part}-, 
who  had  given  the  Hessians  their  terrible  fright.  Mrs.  Fisher  was 
accustomed  to  give  an  amusing  relation  of  the  manner  they  ap 
peared,  as  they  flew  by  her  house,  each  running  at  his  utmost 
speed,  with  the  tin  cannisters  and  other  numerous  accoutrements 
with  which  the  Hessian  soldiers  were  always  so  plentifully  pro 
vided — flying  out  in  a  straight  line  behind  them. 

The  following  incident,  admirably  illustrates  the  presence  of 
mind,  and  the  many  resources  of  this  courageous  lady.  One  day? 
a  whig  neighbor  burst  hastily  into  her  presence,  saying,  that  he 
•was  pursued  by  a  body  of  tories,  and  if  not  concealed  immediately, 
he  was  lost.  It  did  not  take  a  moment  for  Mrs.  Fisher  to  decide 
upon  her  course.  There  was  a  large  ash  heap  just  out  of  the 
back  door,  some  four  or  five  feet  in  height,  and  as  many  long. 


MR.  AND  MflS.  FISHER.  131 

Seizing  a  shovel,  she  hastened  to  the  spot,  and  in  a  moment  a 
sufficient  excavation  was  made,  into  which  the  fugitive  crawled, 
and  Mrs.  Fisher  covered  him  with  the  ashes,  first  taking  the  pre 
caution  to  procure  a  quantity  of  quills,  which  she  placed  one  into 
the  other,  so  as  to  form  a  continuous  tube,  through  which  the  man 
could  breathe,  while  remaining  in  his  novel  situation.  Scarcely 
was  all  this  accomplished,  when  the  pursuers  appeared,  and  ques 
tioned  Mrs.  Fisher  sharply,  at  the  same  time  examining  the  house 
and  grounds.  Several  times  during  the  search,  Mrs.  Fisher 
thought  the  hiding  place  was  about  to  be  discovered ;  and  when 
one  of  the  party  walked  directly  over  the  ash  heap,  she  gave  up 
all  for  lost.  But  finding  no  clue  to  their  enemy,  they  departed, 
leaving  him  in  safety,  and  overcome  with  gratitude  to  his 
preserver. 

Mr.  Fisher  survived  the  war  several  years,  and  Mrs.  Fisher 
lived  until  quite  recently.  She  often  entertained  her  descendants 
with  stories  of  the  olden  time,  to  one  of  whom  the  editor  is  in 
debted  for  the  jibove  particulars. 


THRILLING  ADVENTURE  OF 

LIEUTENANT   SLOCUMB. 

From  Mrs.  Ellet's  "  Women  of  the  Revolution,"  we  draw  the 
following  interesting  sketch  : 

"  When  Lord  Cornwallis  set  out  from  Wilmington,  with  the 
avowed  purpose  of  conquering  Virginia,  he  encamped,  on  the 
march  from  Halifax  on  the  Xeuse,  in  what  is  now  called  Wayne 
Co.,  North  Carolina.  His  head-quarters  were  at  Spring-bank 
while  Colonel  Tarleton,  with  his  renowned  legion,  encamped  on 


132  THRILLING  ADVENTURE  OP 

the  plantation  of  Lieutenant  Slocumb.  This  consisted  of  level 
and  extensive  fields,  which  at  that  season  presented  a  most  invi 
ting  view  of  fresh  verdure  from  the  mansion  house.  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  himself  gave  it  the  name  of  "  Pleasant  Green,"  which  it 
ever  afterwards  retained.  The  owner  of  this  fine  estate,  held  a 
subaltern's  commission  in  the  state  line  under  Colonel  Washing 
ton,  and  was  in  command  of  a  troop  of  light  horse,  raised  in  his 
own  neighborhood,  whose  general  duty  it  was  to  act  as  rangers, 
scouring  the  country  for  many  miles  around,  watching  the  move 
ments  of  the  enemy,  and  punishing  the  loyalists  when  detected 
in  their  vocation  of  pillage  and  murder.  These  excursions  had 
been  frequent,  for  two  or  three  years,  and  were  often  of  several 
weeks  duration.  At  the  present  time,  Slocumb  had  returned  to 
the  vicinity,  and  had  been  sent  with  twelve  or  fifteen  recruits  to 
act  as  scouts  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  British  General.  The 
morning  of  the  day,  on  which  Tarleton  took  possession  of  his  plan 
tation,  he  was  near  Spring-bank,  and  recounoitered  the  encamp 
ment  of  Cornwallis,  which  he  supposed  to  be  his  whole  force.  He 
then  with  his  party,  pursued  his  way  slowly  back  in  the  direction 
of  his  own  house,  little  dreaming  that  his  beautiful  and  peaceful 
home,  where,  sometime  before,  he  had  left  his  wife  and  child,  was 
then  in  possession  of  the  terrible  Tarleton. 

"  During  these  frequent  excursions  of  the  rangers,  and  the 
necessary  absence  of  her  husband,  the  superintendence  of  the 
plantation  had  always  devolved  upon  Mrs.  Slocumb.  She  de 
pended  for  protection  upon  her  slaves,  whose  fidelity  she  had 
proved,  and  from  her  own  fearless  and  intrepid  spirit.  The  scene 
of  the  occupation  of  her  house,  and  Tarleton's  residence  with  her, 
are  drawn  from  her  own  relation. 

"  It  was  about  ten  o'clock,  on  a  beautiful  spring  morning,  that 


LIEUTENANT  SLOCUMB.  133 

a  splendidly  dressed  officer,  accompanied  by  two  aids,  and  fol 
lowed  at  a  short  distance,  by  a  guard  of  some  twenty  troopers, 
dashed  up  to  the  piazza  in  front  of  the  ancient-looking  mansion. 
Mrs.  Slocumb  was  sitting  there,  with  her  child  and  a  near  rela 
tive  young  lady,  who  afterwards  became  the  wife  of  Major  Wil 
liams.  A  few  house  servants  were  also  on  the  piazza. 

"  The  officer  raised  his  cap,  and  bowing  to  his  horse's  neck,  ad 
dressed  the  lady  with  the  question — 

" '  Have  I  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  mistress  of  this  house  and 
plantation  V 

"  '  It  belongs  to  my  husband.' 

" '  Is  he  at  home  ?'     '  He  is  not,'     l  Is  he  a  rebel  ?' 

"  *  No  sir.  He  is  in  the  army  of  his  country,  and  fighting 
against  our  invaders ;  therefore  not  a  rebel.'  It  is  not  a  little  sin 
gular,  that  although  the  people  of  that  period  gloried  in  their  re 
bellion,  they  always  took  offence  at  being  called  rebels 

"  '  I  fear  madam,'  said  the  officer,  '  that  we  differ  in  opinion. 
A  friend  to  his  country,  will  be  a  friend  of  the  king,  our  master,' 

""*  Slaves  only  acknowledge  a  master  in  this  country,' replied 
the  lady. 

<;  A  deep  flush  crossed  the  florid  cheeks  of  Tarleton,  for  he  was 
the  speaker ;  and  turning  to  one  of  his  aids,  he  ordered  him  to 
pitch  the  tents,  and  form  the  encampment  in  the  orchard  and  field 
on  the  right.  To  the  other  aid,  his  orders  were  to  detach  a  quar 
ter  guard,  and  station  piquets  on  each  road.  Then  bowing  very 
low,  he  added,  '  Madam,  the  service  of  his  Majesty  requires  the 
temporary  occupation  of  your  property;  and  if  it  will  not  be  too 
great  an  inconvenience,  I^will  take  up  my  quarters  in  your  house.' 

"  The  tone  admitted  no  controversv.     Mrs.  Slocumb  answered. 


134  THRILLING  ADVENTURE  OF 

" l  My  family  consists  of  only  myself,  rny  sister  and  child,  and  a  few 
negroes.  We  are  your  prisoners.' 

"From  the  piazza  where  he  seated  himself,  Tarleton  com 
manded  a  view  of  the  ground,  on  which  his  troops  were  arranging 
their  camp,  The  mansion  fronted  the  east,  and  an  avenue  one 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  wide,  and  about  half  a  mile  in  length, 
stretched  to  the  eastern  side  of  the  plantation,  where  was  a  high 
way,  with  open  grounds  beyond  it,  partly  dry  meadow  and  partly 
sand  barren.  This  avenue  was  lined  on  the  south  side  by  a  high 
fence,  and  a  thick  hedge  row  of  forest  trees.  These  are  now  re- 

O 

moved,  and  replaced  by  the  '  Pride  of  India.'  and  other  ornamen 
tal  trees.  On  the  north  side,  extended  the  common  rail  fence, 
seven  or  eight  feet  high,  such  as  is  usually  seen  on  plantations 
in  the  low  country.  The  encampment  of  the  British  troops  being 
on  that  part  of  the  plantation  lying  south  of  the  avenue,  it  was 
completely  screened  by  the  fences  and  hedge  row,  from  the  view 
of  any  one  approaching  from  down  the  counrtry. 

"  While  the  men  were  busied,  different  officers  came  up  at  in 
tervals,  mating  their  reports  and  receiving  orders.  Among  others, 
a  tory  captain,  whom  Mrs.  Slocumb  immediately  recognised — for 
before  joining  the  royal  army,  he  had  lived  fifteen  or  twenty 
miles  below — received  orders  in  her  hearing,  to  take  his  troop 
and  scour  the  country  for  two  or  three  miles  round. 

"  In  an  hour,  every  thing  was  quiet,  and  the  plantation  pre 
sented  the  romantic  spectacle  of  a  regular  encampment,  of  some 
ten  or  eleven  hundred  of  the  choicest  cavalry  of  the  British 
Monarch. 

"Mrs.  Slocumb  now  addressed  herself  to  the  duty  of  preparing 
for  her  uninvited  guests.  A  dinner  was  prepared,  consisting  of 
turkey,  ham,  beef,  fowls,  with  vegetables,  fruits,  and  some  excel 


LIEUTENANT  SLOCUMB.  135 

lent  peach  brandy,  prepared  under  Lieutenant  Slocumb's  own 
supervision.  This  latter  beverage  "  received  the  unqualified 
praise  of  the  party  ;  and  its  merits  were  fully  discussed.  A  Scotch 
officer,  praising  it  by  the  name  of  whiskey,  protested  that  he  had 
never  drank  as  good  out  of  Scotland.  An  officer  speaking  with  a 
slight  brogue,  insisted  it  was  not  whiskey,  and  that  no  Scotch 
drink  ever  equalled  it.  '  To  my  mind,'  said  he,  *  it  tastes  as 
yonder  orchard  smells.' . 

u '  Allow  me,  madam,'  said  Tarleton,  *  to  inquire,  where  the 
spirits  we  are  drinking  is  procured  ?' 

"  '  From  the  orchard  where  your  tents  stand,'  answered  Mrs. 
Slocumb. 

" '  Colonel,'  said  the  Irish  captain,  *  when  we  conquer  this 
country,  is  it  not  to  be  divided  out  amongst  us  ?' 

"  '  The  officers  of  this  army,'  replied  the  Colonel,  '  will  undoubt 
edly  receive  large  possessions  of  the  conquered  American  pro 
vinces.' 

"  Mrs.  Slocumb  here  interposed.  '  Allow  me  to  observe,  and 
prophecy,'  said  she,  *  the  only  land  in  the  United  States,  which 
will  ever  remain  in  possession  of  a  British  officer,  will  measure  but 
six  feet  by  two.' 

" '  Excuse  me,  madam,'  remarked  Tarleton,  *  for  your  sake,  I 
regret  to  say — this  beautiful  plantation  will  be  the  ducal  seat  of 
some  of  us.' 

" '  Don't  trouble  yourself  about  me,'  retorted  tlie  spirited  lady 
4  My  husband  is  not  a  man  who  will  allow  a  duke,  or  even  a  king, 
to  have  a  quiet  seat  upon  his  ground.' 

•'  At  this  point,  the  conversation  was  interrupted  by  rapid  vol 
leys  of  fire-arms,  appearing  to  proceed  from  the  wood,  a  short 
distance  to  the  eastward.  One  of  the  aids  pronounced  it  some 


136  THRILLING  ADVENTURE  OF 

straggling  scout,  running  from  the  picket-guard  ;  but  the  experi 
ence  of  Colonel  Tarleton,  could  not  be  easily  deceived. 

" '  There  are  rifles  and  muskets,'  said  he,  *  as  well  as  pistols ; 
and  too  many  to  pass  unnoticed.  Order  boots  and  saddles,  and 
you — captain,  take  your  troop  in  the  direction  of  the  firing.' 

"  The  officer  rushed  out  to  execute  his  orders,  while  the  Colonel 
walked  into  the  piazza,  whither  he  was  immediately  followed  by 
the  anxious  ladies.  Mrs.  SlocumVs  agitation  and  alarm,  may  bo 
imagined ;  for  she  guessed  but  too  well  the  cause  of  the  interrup 
tion.  On  the  first  arrival  of  the  officers,  she  had  been  importuned 
even  with  harsh  threats — not,  however,  by  Tarleton — to  tell 
where  her  husband  when  absent  on  duty,  was  likely  to  be 
found  ;  but  after  her  repeated  and  peremptory  refusals,  had  es 
caped  further  molestation  on  the  subject.  She  feared  now  that 
he  had  returned  unexpectedly,  and  might  fall  into  the  enemy's 
hands,  before  he  was  aware  of  their  presence. 

"  Her  sole  hope,  was  in  a  precaution  she  had  adopted  soon  after 
the  corning  of  her  unwelcome  guests.  Having  heard  Tarleton 
give  the  order  to  the  tory  captain  as  before-mentioned,  to  patrol 
the  county,  she  immediately  sent  for  an  old  negro,  and  gave  him 
directions  to  take  a  bag  of  corn  to  the  mill,  about  four  miles  dis 
tant,  on  the  road  she  knew  her  husband  must  travel,  if  he  re 
turned  that  day.  '  Big  George'  was  instructed  to  warn  his  master 
of  the  danger  of  approaching  his  home.  With  the  indolence  and 
curiosity  natural  to  his  race,  however,  the  old  fellow  remained 
loitering  about  the  premises,  and  was  at  this  time  lurking  under 
the  hedge  row,  admiring  the  red  coats,  dashing  plumes,  and 
shining  helmets  of  the  British  troops. 

"  The  colonel  and  the  ladies  continued  on  the  look  out  from  the 
piazza.  *  May  I  be  allowed,  madam,'  at  length  said  Tarleton, 


LIEUTENANT  SLOCtTMB.  137 

*  without  offence,  to  inquire  if  any  part  of  Washington's  army  is 
in  this  neighborhood  V 

"  '  I  presume  it  is  known  to  you,'  said  Mrs.  Slocumb,  *  that  the 
Marquis  and  Greene  are  in  this  State.  And  you  would  not 
of  course,'  she  added,  after  a  slight  pause,  '  be  surprised  at  a  call 
from  Lee,  or  your  old  friend  Colonel  Washington,-  who  although 
a  perfect  gentleman,  it  is  said,  shook  your  hand,  (pointing  to  the 
scar  left  by  Washington'  sabre,)  very  rudely  when  last  you  met.'* 

"  This  spirited  answer  inspired  Tarleton  with  apprehensions 
that  the  skirmish  in  the  woods  was  only  the  prelude  to  a  con 
certed  attack  on  his  camp.  His  only  reply  was  a  loud  order  to 
form  the  troops  on  the  right ;  and  springing  on  his  charger,  he 
dashed  down  the  avenue  a  few  hundred  feet,  to  a  breach  in  the 
hedge-row,  leaped  the  fence,  and  in  a  moment  was  at  the  head  of 
his  regiment,  which  was  already  in  line. 

"  Meanwhile,  Lieutenant  Slocumb,  with  John  Howell,  a  private 
in  his  band,  Henry  Williams,  and  the  brother  of  Mrs.  Slocumb, 
Charles  Hook,  a  boy  of  about  thirteen  years  of  age,  were  leading 
a  hot  pursuit  of  the  tory  captain  who  had  been  sent  to  reconnoitre 
the  country,  and  some  of  his  routed  troop.  These  were  first  dis 
cerned  in  the  open  grounds  east  and  northeast  of  the  plantation, 
closely  pursued  by  a  body  of  American  mounted  militia ;  while  a 
running  fight  was  kept  up  with  different  weapons,  in  which  four 
or  five  broadswords  gleamed  conspicuous.  The  foremost  of  the 
pursuing  party  appeared  too  busy  with  the  tories  to  see  anything 
else  ;  and  they  entered  the  avenue  at  the  same  moment  with  the 
party  pursued.  With  what  horror  and  consternation  did  Mrs. 


*  It  is  said,  that  in  a  close  encounter  between  Tarleton  and  Col.  Wash 
ington,  at  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens,  the  former  was  wounded  by  a  sabre 
cut  in  the  hand. 


138  THRILLING    ADVENTURE    OP 

Slocumb  recognize  her  husband,  her  brother,  and  two  of  her 
neighbors,  in  chase  of  the  tory  captain  and  four  of  his  band,  al 
ready  half  way  down  the  avenue,  and  unconscious  that  they  were 
rushing  into  the  enemy's  midst. 

"  About  the  middle  of  the  avenue  one  of  the  tories  fell ;  and 
the  course  of  the  brave  and  imprudent  young  officers  was  sud 
denly  arrested  by  *  Big  George,'  who  sprang  directly  in  front  of 
their  horses,  crying,  *  Hold  on  Massa !  de  debbil  here  !  Look 
yon  !'  A  glance  to  the  left  showed  the  young  men  their  danger ; 
they  were  within  pistol  shot  of  a  thousand  men  drawn  up  in  order 
of  battle.  Wheeling  their  horses  they  discovered  a  troop  already 
leaping  the  fence  into  the  avenue  in  their  rear.  Quick  as  thought 
they  again  whirled  their  horses,  and  dashed  down  the  avenue,  di 
rectly  towards  the  house,  where  stood  the  quarter-guard  to  receive 
them.  On  reaching  the  garden  fence — a  rude  structure  formed 
of  a  kind  of  lath,  and  called  a  wattled  fence — they  leaped  that 
and  the  next,  amid  a  shower  of  balls  from  the  guard,  cleared  the 
canal  at  one  tremendous  leap,  and,  scouring  across  the  open  field*to 
the  northwest,  were  in  the  shelter  of  the  wood  before  their  pur 
suers  could  clear  the  fence  of  the  enclosure.  The  whole  ground 
of  this  adventure  may  be  seen  as  a  traveller  passes  over  the  Wil 
mington  railroad,  a  mile  and  a  half  south  of  Dudley  depot. 

"  A  platoon  hs<l  commenced  the  pursuit ;  but  the  trumpets 
sounded  the  recall  before  the  flying  Americans  had  crossed  the 
«ana1.  The  presence  of  mind  and  lofty  language  of  the  heroic- 
wife,  had  convinced  the  British  colonel  that  the  daring  men  who 
so  fearlessly  dashed  into  his  camp  were  supported  by  a  formidable 
force  close  at  hand.  Had  the  truth  been  known,  and  the  fugi 
tives  pursued,  nothing  could  have  prevented  the  destruction  not 


LIEUTENANT    SLOCUMB.  139 

only  of  the  four  who  fled,  but  of  the  rest  of  the  company  on  the 
east  side  of  the  plantation. 

''  Tarleton  had  rode  back  to  the  front  of  the  house,  where  he 
remained  eagerly  looking  after  the  fugitives  till  they  disappeared 
in  the  wood.  He  called  for  the  tory  captain,  who  presently  came 
forward,  questioned  him  about  the  attack,  asked  the  names  of  the 
American  officers,  and  dismissed  him  to  have  his  wounds  dressed, 
and  see  after  his  men.  The  last  part  of  the  order  was  needless ; 
for  nearly  one  half  of  his  men  had  fallen. 

"  The  British  officers  now  returned  to  their  peach  brandy  and 
coffee,  and  closed  the  day  with  a  merry  night. 

"  Slocumb  and  his  companions  passed  rapidly  around  the  plan 
tation  and  returned  to  the  ground  where  the  encounter  had  taken 
place,  collecting  on  the  way  the  stragglers  of  their  troop. 

"  Slocumb  raised  a  company  of  two  hundred  men,  and  with 
them' thoroughly  harassed  the  rear  of  the  royal  army  on  its  march 
until  it  crossed  the  Roanoke,  when  he  hastened  to  join  Lafay 
ette  at  "Warrenton." 


THE  EXECUTION  OF  COL.  ISAAC  HAYNE. 

AFTER  Charleston  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  British, 
many  of  the  Whigs  of  South  Carolina  were  induced  to  take  the 
protections  which  were  offered  by  Cornwallis.  They  were  led  to 
this  step  by  the  belief  that  the  cause  was  hopeless  in  the  South, 
and  were  promised  by  virtue  of  these  protections  to  be  allowed  to 
remain  quietly  at  their  homes  and  take  no  part  in  the  contest. 
But  what  was  their  surprise  when  soon  after  they  were  called  upon 
to  take  up  arms  under  the  British  commanders  and  against  their 


140  THE    EXECUTION  OF 

countrymen.  Conceiving  that  faith  had  been  broken  with  them, 
and  their  promises  of  neutrality  no  longer  binding,  they  destroyed 
their  protections  and  at  once  ranked  themselves  under  the  Conti 
nental  leaders.  Among  these  was  Col.  Isaac  Hayne,  a  man  of 
unblemished  reputation,  fine  talents,  and  lofty  patriotism.  Indig 
nant  at  the  course  pursued  by  the  British,  and  being  summoned 
to  appear  at  Charleston  to  take  up  arms  against  his  country,  he 
hastened  to  the  American  army  and  began  to  take  an  active  part 
in  the  contest.  But  unfortunately  he  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands, 
was  conveyed  to  Charleston,  submitted  by  the  order  of  Rawdon 
to  a  mock  trial,  and  to  the  horror  of  all,  condemned  to  death.  He 
received  his  sentence  with  calmness,  but  the  whole  country  was 
horrified.  Both  English  and  Americans  interceded  for  his  life, 
and  the  ladies  of  Charleston  immortalized  themselves  by  the 
spirited  address  they  framed  and  delivered  to  his  captors  in  his 
behalf.  But  all  was  of  no  avail.  The  cruel  heart  of  Rawdon 
could  not  be  moved  ;  not  even  the  captive's  motherless  children 
with  bended  knees  and  tearful  prayers  could  move  his  obdurate 
nature. 

His  eldest  child  was  a  boy  of  thirteen,  and  he  was  permitted  to 
remain  with  his  father  in  prison  up  to  the  time  of  the  execution. 
This  boy  was  actuated  by  an  affection  for  his  father  of  the  most 
romantic  earnestness  and  fervor.  Beholding  him  loaded  with 
irons  and  condemned  to  die,  he  was  overwhelmed  with  conster 
nation  and  sorrow ;  nothing  could  assuage  his  grief  nor  allay  his 
sorrow.  In  vain  did  his  father  endeavor  to  console  him  by  re 
minding  him  that  his  unavailing  grief  only  tended  to  increase 
his  own  misery ;  that  he  was  only  to  leave  this  world  to  be  ad 
mitted  into  a  better ;  that  it  was  glorious  to  die  for  liberty,  and 
that  he  himself  was  calm  and  prepared  for  the  event.  The  boy 


COL.    ISAAC   HAYNE.  141 

would  not  be  comforted.  "  To-morrow,"  said  the  unhappy  father, 
"  I  set  out  for  immortality  ;  you  will  accompany  me  to  the  place 
of  my  execution,  and  when  I  am  dead,  take  my  body  and  bury 
it  by  the  side  of  your  poor  mother."  In  an  agonyvof  grief  the 
wretched  youth  fell  weeping-  on  his  father's  neck,  crying,  "  Oh, 
my  father,  my  father,  I  die  with  you  !"  The  chains  that  bound 
the  father  prevented  him  from  returning  the  embrace  of  his  son, 
but  he  said,  in  reply,  "  Live,  my  son  ;  live,  to  honor  God  by  a 
good  life,  live  to  take  care  of  your  brothers  and  sisters." 

The  next  morning  the  son  walked  beside  the  father  to  the 
place  of  execution.  The  history  of  the  war  does  not  afford  a 
more  heart-rending  incident.  There  was  not  a  citizen  of  Charles 
ton  whose  bosom  did  not  beat  with  anguish  and  swell  with  sup 
pressed  indignation.  There  was  sorrow  in  every  countenance,  and 
when  men  spoke  with  each  other  it  was  in  accents  of  horror. 

When  the  parent  and  child  came  in  sight  of  the  gallows,  the 
father  strengthen  e<jpjiimself,  and  said  to  the  weeping  boy  by 
his  side,  "  Tom,  my  son,  show  yourself  a  man !  that  tree  is  the 
boundary  of  my  life  and  all  my  life's  sorrow.  Beyond  that  the 
wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary  are  at  rest.  Don't 
lay  too  much  at  heart  our  separation,  it  will  be  short.  'Twas  but 
lately  your  mother  died — to-day,  I  die.  And  you,  my  son,  though 
but  young,  must  shortly  follow." 

"  Yes,  my  father,"  replied  the  heart-broken  youth,  "  I  shall 
shortly  follow  you,  for  indeed  I  feel  that  I  cannot  live  long." 

And  this  melancholy  anticipation  was  fulfilled  in  a  manner  far 
more  dreadful  than  is  implied  in  the  mere  extinction  of  life. 
When  his  father  was  torn  from  his  side  his  tears  flowed  inces 
santly,  and  his  bosom  was  convulsed  with  heart-rending  sobs,  but 
when  he  saw  his  beloved  parent  in  the  hands  of  the  executioner, 


142  ADVENTURES   OF 

the  halter  adjusted  to  his  neck,  and  then  his  form  convulsively 
struggling  in  the  air,  the  fountain  of  his  tears  was  suddenly 
staunched,  and  he  stood  transfixed  and  motionless  with  horror. 
He  never  wept  again.  A\rhen  all  was  over  he  was  led  from  the 
scene,  but  there  was  a  strange  wildness  in  his  look,  and  a  palor  in 
his  cheek,  that  alarmed  and  terrified  all  who  looked  upon  him. 
The  terrible  truth  soon  became  known.  His  reason  had  iled  for 
ever.  It  was  not  long  ere  he  followed  his  father  to  the  grave, 
but  his  death  was  even  more  terrible  than  that  of  his  parent's. 
In  his  last  moments  he  often  called  upon  his  father,  and  in  ac 
cents  of  such  thrilling  anguish  that  the  sternest  hearted  wept  to 
hear  him.  We  know  of  no  incident  in  history,  no  passage  in 
romance,  more  truly  touching  than  this  melancholy  history. 


ADVENTURES  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  CLINTON. 

MAJOR  GENERAL  JAMES  CLINTOX  commanded  at  Fort  Clinton 
on  the  occasion  of  its  assault  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  Here  he 
was  joined  by  his  brother  George  Clinton.  The  attack  of  Sir 
Henry  was  resisted  with  a  devoted  heroism,  but  overcome  by 
superior  numbers,  and  attacked  by  English  ships  of  war  in  the 
stream,  they  were  gradually  overcome.  But  the  battle  was  des 
perately  contested,  and  when  at  last  all  hope  was  gone,  Clinton, 
disdaining  to  surrender,  gathered  a  body  of  men  around  him,  and 
with  his  brother  at  his  side,  attempted  to  force  his  way  through 
the  enemy's  ranks. 

"  Fleeing  to  the  river  shore  he  came  upon  a  small  boat,  in 
which  he  urged  his  brother  George  to  embark,  and  make  his 


MAJOR    GENERAL  CLINTON.  143 

escape.  The  latter  firmly  refused  to  go,  unless  he  accompanied 
him.  But  this  was  impossible  ;  and  to  end  the  dispute,  James 
pushed  his  brother  into  the  boat,  and  shoved  it  from  the  shore, 
before  he  had  any  time  to  offer  any  resistance,  then  springing  on 
a  horse  near  by,  galloped  away.  It  was  dark  ;  and  as  he  came 
to  a  bridge,  which  he  must  cross,  he  saw  it  occupied  with  English 
soldiers.  They  challenged  him  ;  but  ordering  them  to  clear  the 
\vay,  he  drove  the  spurs  in  his  horse,  and  dashed  through  the  bay 
onets,  one  of  which  pierced  his  leg.  Knowing  that  his  safety  lay 
in  reaching  the  mountains,  he  flung  himself  from  his  horse,  and 
snatching  the  bridle  from  his  head,  plunged  into  the  woods.  His 
remarkable  presence  of  mind  did  not  forsake  him  in  this  critical 
moment.  He  knew  that  unless  he  could  catch  another  horse,  he 
must  perish  amid  the  mountains  with  his  wound,  before  he  could 
reach  any  settlement ;  and  remembering  that  there  were  many 
half- wild  horses  roving  about  the  shores,  he  suddenly  bethought 
himself  that  he  might  possibly  take  one  of  these  next  morning  and 
escape.  So,  preserving  the  bridle  he  had  taken,  he  limped  away ; 
and  sliding  down  a  precipice  a  hundred  feet  high  into  a  ravine, 
was  out  of  the  reach  of  his  pursuers.  Creeping  along  the  steep 
and  rocky  sides,  with  the  blood  oozing  rapidly  from  his  wound, 
he  slipped  and  fell  into  the  stream.  The  cold  plunge  helped  him, 
for  it  stayed  the  effusion  of  blood ;  and  drenched  and  faint,  he 
made  his  way  to  the  mountains,  where  he  remained  all  night, 
racked  with  pain,  covered  with  blood,  and  burned  with  fever. 
When  daylight  dawned  he  began  to  look  about  him,  and  finally 
came  upon  a  horse,  which  he  caught.  Placing  the  bridle,  which 
he  still  retained,  upon  him,  he  mounted  bare-back  and  rode  six 
teen  miles — every  step  driving  a  dagger  into  the  wounded  leg  ; 
before  he  came  to  a  house.  He  presented  a  frightful  spectacle  to 


144  ADVENTURES    OP 

the  astonished  inmates — his  regimentals  were  covered  with  blood, 
his  cheeks  flushed  with  fever,  and  his  voice  hollow  and  husky." 

After  his  recovery  Clinton  joined  Sullivan's  expedition  against 
the  Indians,  in  which  he  won  new  laurels.  On  his  return  he  was 
stationed  at  Albany,  where  he  remained  until  near  the  close  of 
the  war. 

"While here  an  incident  occurred  which  illustrated  in  a  striking 
manner  his  character.  A  mutiny  had  broken  out  in  a  regiment, 
and  it  refused  to  obey  the  orders  to  march.  When  word  was 
brought  to  Clinton  a  fearful  expression  passed  over  his  counte 
nance,  and  snatching  up  his  pistols,  he  walked  to  the  head  of  the 
refractory  regiment.  Casting  his  eye  along  it  for  a  moment,  he 
thundered  out  '  March !'  but  not  a  soldier  stirred.  Turning  to 
the  ringleader,  he  presented  his  pistol  to  his  breast,  and  told  him 
to  advance,  or  he  would  shoot  him  dead  on  the  spot.  The  das 
tardly  sergeant  knew  well  what  kind  of  a  man  he  had  to  deal 
with,  and  pale  with  rage  and  fear,  moved  on.  Clinton  then  passed 
along  to  the  second  and  third  officer,  in  the  same  way,  till  he 
traversed  the  whole  line  and  put  it  in  motion.  Thus,  by  his  re 
solution  and  energy,  he  quelled  a  dangerous  mutiny,  and  reduced 
the  disobedient  ranks  to  subordination." 


ADVENTURES  OF  LIEUT.  RICHARD  DALE. 

LIEUTENANT  RICHARD  DALE,  afterwards  Commodore,  served  in 
our  youthful  navy  during  the  Revolutionary  contest.  Four. several 
times  he  was  taken  a  prisoner.  On  one  occasion  being  captured 
by  a  frigate,  the  prisoners  were  placed  on  board  the  prize,  under 


LIEUT.    RICHARD    DALE.  145 

a  small  crew,  but  during  the  night  becoming  separated  from  the 
English  vessel,  the  captors  rose  upon  their  conquerors,  retook  the 
brig,  and  carried  her  into  Baltimore.  He  put  out  to  sea  in  the 
same  vessel,  but  encountering  an  English  man-of-war,  he  was 
again  captured,  and  this  time  carried  into  Plymouth.  The  prison 
ers  were  examined  and  thrown  into  Mill  prison  on  a  charge  of 
treason.  Here  they  were  doomed  to  a  rigorous  and  painful  con 
finement.  '•  So  severe,"  says  Cooper,  "  were  the  privations  of  the 
Americans  on  this  occasion,  that,  in  pure  hunger,  they  caught  a 
stray  dog  one  day,  skinned,  cooked  and  ate  him  to  satisfy  their 
cravings  for  food."  But  their  situation  eventually  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  humane,  and  their  sufferings  were  relieved.  But 
time  passing  on,  and  despairing  of  ever  being  freed  by  exchange, 
they  resolved  to  attempt  an  escape.  We  quote  from  his  life  by 
Cooper. 

"A  suitable  place  was  selected,  and  a  hole  under  a  wall  was 
commenced.  The  work  required  secrecy  and  time.  The  earth 
was  removed,  little  by  little  in  the  pockets  of  the  captives,  care 
being  had  to  conceal  the  place,  until  a  hole  of  sufficient  size  was 
made  to  permit  the  body  of  a  man-  to  pass  through.  It  was  a 
tedious  process,  for  the  only  opportunity  which  occurred  .to  empty 
their  pockets,  was  while  the  Americans  were  exercising  in  the 
halls  of  their  prison  for  a  short  period  each  day.  By  patience 
and  perseverance  they  accomplished  their  purpose,  however,  every 
hour  dreading  exposure  and  defeat. 

"  When  all  was  ready,  they  passed  through  the  hole  and  es 
caped.  This  was  in  February  1778.  The  party  wandered  about 
the  country  in  company,  and  by  night,  for  more  than  a  week,  suf 
fering  all  sorts  of  privations,  until  it  was  resolved  to  take  the  wiser 
course  of  separating.  Dale,  accompanied  by  one  other,  found  his 


146  ADVENTURES     OF 

way  to  London,  hotly  pursued.  At  one  time,  the  two  lay  under 
some  straw  in  an  out-house,  while  the  premises  were  searched  by 
those  who  were  in  quest  of  them.  On  reaching  London,  Dale  and 
his  companion  immediately  got  on  board  a  vessel  about  to  sail 
for  Dunkirk.  A  press  gang  unluckily  took  this  craft  in  its  rounds 
and  suspecting  the  true  object  of  the  fugitives,  they  were  arrested, 
and  their  characters  being  ascertained,  they  were  sent  back  to 
Mill  Prison  in  disgrace. 

"  This  was  the  commencement  of  a  captivity  far  more  tedious 
than  the  former.  In  the  first  place,  they  were  condemned  to  forty 
days  imprisonment  in  the  black  hole,  as  a  punishment  for  the 
late  escape  ;  and  released  from  this  durance,  they  were  deprived 
of  many  of  their  former  indulgences.  Dale  himself  took  his  re 
venge  in  singing  "  rebel  songs,"  and  paid  a  second  visit  to  the 
black  hole  as  the  penalty.  This  state  of  things,  with  alternations 
of  favor  and  punishment,  continued  quite  a  year,  when  Dale, 
singly  succeeded  in  again  effecting  his  great  object  of  getting  free. 

"  The  mode  in  which  this  second  escape  was  made  is  known, 
but  the  manner  by  which  he  procured  the  means,  he  refused  to 
his  dying  day  to  disclose.  At  all  events,  he  obtained  a  full  suit 
of  British  uniform,  attired  in  which,  and  seizing  a  favorable  op 
portunity,  he  boldly  walked  past  all  the  sentinels,  and  got  off. 
That  some  one  was  connected  with  this  escape,  who  might  suffer 
by  his  revelations  is  almost  certain  ;  and  it  is  a  trait  in  his  char 
acter  worthy  of  notice,  that  he  kept  this  secret,  with  scrupulous 
fidelity,  for  forty-seven  years.  It  is  not  known  that  he  ever  di 
vulged  it  even  to  any  individual  in  his  own  family. 

"  Rendered  wary  by  experience,  Dale  now  proceeded  with 
great  address  and  caution.  He  probably  had  money  as  wrell  as 
clothes.  At  all  events,  he  went  to  London,  found  means  to  pro- 


LIEUT/RICHARD    DALE.  147 

cure  a  passport,  and  left  the  country  for  France  unsuspected  and 
undetected.  On  reaching  a  friendly  soil,  he  hastened  to  L'Orient, 
and  joined  the  force  then  equipping  under  Paul  Jones.  This 
commander  obtained  a  commission  for  Dale,  and  made  him  the 
first  lieutenant  of  his  own  ship." 

When  Dale  effected  this  last  escape,  he  was  but  twenty-three 
years  of  age,  having  been  made  four  times  a  prisoner,  and  effecting 
his  escape  three  different  times,  each  under  very  different  circum 
stances.  So  much  variety  of  adventure  at  so  early  an  age,  gives 
a  peculiar  charm  to  his  history. 


MISS  MONCRIEPFE. 

DURING  the  early  part  of  the  war,  a  gentleman  named  Wood 
was  residing  about  seven  miles  from  Peekskill.  He  was  a  zealous 
whig,  but  the  associations  and  tastes  of  his  English  wife,  caused 
her  prejudices  to  decide  in  favor  of  the  loyalists.  Among  the  in 
mates  of  the  family,  was  Miss  Moncrieffe,  a  visitor  from  New  York, 
and  the  daughter  of  Major  Moncrieffe  of  the  English  army.  This 
lady  was  young,  of  surpassing  beauty,  fascinating  manners,  and 
possessed  of  rare  accomplishments,  with  intellectual  gifts  of  a  high 
order.  Her  beauty,  the  care  and  richness  lavished  upon  her  dress, 
combined  with  her  pleasing  attainments,  dazzled  all  those  who 
came  within  the  range  of  her  influence,  and  Mr.  Wood's  house 
soon  became  the  resort  of  all  those  who  could  obtain  the  acquain 
tance  of  this  beautiful  and  spirited  girl.  Among  the  visitors  who 
thronged  around  the  brilliant  lady,  were  several  officers  of  the 
American  army.  It  was  not  in  the  power  of  these  to  resist  the 

6 


148  MISS  MONCRIEFFE. 

enslaving  charms  of  their  beautiful  countrywomen,  and  they  were 
delighted  to  find,  that  her  sentiments  sympathized  with  the  patri 
otic  cause,  and  listened  with  unqualified  pleasure  to  the  words  of 
patriotism  from  lips  so  fair,  and  to  the  approbation  of  one  to  whom 
it  was  not  in  their  power  to  resist  doing  homage.  She  encour 
aged  conversation,  upon  the  state  of  the  country  and  its  prospects, 
and  so  unrestrained  became  their  connection,  that  confidential  dis 
closures  were  made  to  her  from  time  to  time,  and  by  insinuating 
questions,  she  would  often  learn  of  all  the  plans  and  movements 
in  contemplation,  to  circumvent  the  enemy. 

Miss  Moncriefle  was  an  excellent  equestrian.  She  rode  out 
every  day,  sometimes  accompanied,  but  ofterier  alone.  She  could 
ride  any  horse,  however  spirited,  and  usually  went  abroad  in  a 
magnificent  costume,  that  from  its  exceeding  beauty,  and  singular 
style,  received  much  comment.  One  morning  as  she  was  taking 
her  accustomed  ride,  alone,  on  passing  a  farm-house,  the  barking 
of  a  dog,  that  suddenly  sprang  into  the  road,  frightened  the  horse. 
The  animal  started  aside ;  she  was  thrown  to  the  ground,  and  so 
severely  stunned,  as  to  be  entirely  insensible.  The  people  ran 
out  from  the  house,  lifted  her  up,  and  carried  her  in  and  laid  her 
on  the  bed.  While  endeavoring  to  restore  her,  they  unbuttoned 
the  vest  of  her  riding  habit,  to  allow  her  to  breathe  more  freely, 
when  a  letter  fell  out,  which  was  picked  up  and  lain  on  the  table. 
It  was  not  long  before  she  began  to  recover  consciousness,  and  in 
a  few  moments  was  fully  restored  to  her  senses.  Suddenly  observ 
ing  the  open  flaps  of  her  vest,  she  started  up  in  great  agitation 
exclaiming,  "  Who  unbuttoned  my  waist-coat  ?  Where  is  the 
letter?  ah,  I  am  lost — lost !"  A  woman  at  her  side  took  up  the 
letter,  and  was  about  to  hand  it  to  her,  when  a  man  standing  by, 
whose  suspicions  were  aroused  by  the  strangeness  of  her  manner, 


MISS  MONCRIEFFE,  149 

sprang  forward  and  seized  it.  With  the  greatest  alarm  and  anxi 
ety,  she  begged  him  to  restore  it,  but  as  he  observed  it  was  ad 
dressed  to  New  York,  and  more  and  more  suspicious  from  the  over 
anxiety  of  her  manner,  he  positively  refused  to  deliver  it  up,  until 
its  contents  should  be  known.  Finding  her  efforts  to  obtain  the 
letter  in  vain,  and  having  received  no  injury  from  her  fall,  she  was 
•  >bliged  to  mount  her  horse  and  depart  without  it. 

There  was  now  but  one  course  for  her  to  pursue.  An  exposure 
of  the  contents  of  the  letter  would  prove  her  ruin.  She  immedi 
ately  began  to  prepare  for  returning  to  NCAV  York,  but  before  she 
could  get  ready  to  depart,  a  party  of  soldiers  rode  up  and  entered 
the  house,  and  the  officer  informed  her  that  she  must  be  consid 
ered  as  n,  prisoner,  and  be  conducted  to  the  destination  pointed 
out  by  his  orders. 

It  was  ascertained,  that  the  letter  thus  opportunely  discovered, 
contained  information  relative  to  an  intended  movement  of  the 
American  army.  It  was  proved  in  the  examination,  that  the 
young  lacly  was  in  the  habit,  repeatedly  of  sending  her  British 
friends  the  information  reposed  in  her  by  the  young  American 
officers,  who  supposing  her  to  be  actuated  by  a  strong  interest  in 
the  cause  they  espoused,  had  confided  in  her  the  secrets  of  the 
army.  When  she  wrote  a  letter,  she  concealed  it  in  the  vest  of 
her  riding  habit,  and  riding  by  an  appointed  spot,  contrived  to 
drop  it  upon  the  ground  unseen,  when  it  was  immediately  picked 
up  by  an  accomplice  hid  in  the  bushes,  and  then  conveyed  from 
hand  to  hand  until  it  reached  New  York.  All  this  came  to  light 
by  the  confession  of  the  accomplice  himself. 

Miss  Moncrieffe  was  retained  as  a  prisoner.  Her  countrymen 
not  disposed  to  deal  harshly  with  one  so  young,  beautiful  and  ac- 


150        AN  EXTRAORDINARY  ADVENTURE 

complislied,  her  trial  was  postponed  from  time  to  time,,  until  at 
last  she  was  given  up  to  her  friends.* 


AN  EXTRAORDINARY  ADYENTURE.t 

THE  American  authorities  found  much  difficulty  in  disposing 
of  their  prisoners.  They  had  no  posts  regularly  fitted  for  the 
purpose ;  and  they  could  suggest  no  better  means  for  securing 
them,  than  to  place  them  under  guard  in  a  thickly  settled  part  of 
the  country,  where  the  inhabitants  were  most  decidedly  hostile  to 
the  English.  The  town  of  Lancaster,  in  Pennsylvania,  was  one  of 
those  selected  for  this  purpose.  The  prisoners  were  confined  in 
barracks,  enclosed  with  a  stockade,  and  vigilantly  guarded.  But 
in  spite  of  all  precautions,  they  often  disappeared  in  an  unaccount 
able  manner,  and  nothing  was  heard  of  them  till  they  had  re 
sumed  their  places  in  the  English  army.  Many  and  various  were 
the  conjectures  as  to  the  means  of  their  escape ;  the  officers  inquired 
and  investigated  in  vain  ;  the  country  was  explored  to  no  purpose  ; 
the  soldiers  shook  their  heads,  and  told  of  fortune-tellers,  pedlars, 
and  such  characters  who  had  been  seen  at  intervals  ;  and  sundry 
of  the  more  credulous  could  think  of  nothing  but  supernatural 
agency ;  but  whether  man  or  spirit,  was  the  conspirator,  the  mys 
tery  was  unbroken. 

When  this  became  known  to  Washington,  he  sent  General 
Hazen  to  take  this  responsible  charge.  This  energetic  officer, 

*  Mrs.  Ellett. 

f  From  the  first  volume  of  the  "  New  England  Magazine." 


AN  EXTRAORDINARY    ADVENTURE.  151 

after  exhausting  all  resources,  resorted  to  stratagem.  He  was 
convinced  that,  as  the  nearest  British  post  was  more  than  a  hun 
dred  miles  distant,  the  prisoners  must  be  aided  by  Americans,  but 
where  the  suspicion  should  fall,  lie  could  not  even  conjecture,  the 
reproach  of  toryism  being  almost  unknown  in  that  region.  Hav 
ing  been  trained  to  meet  exigencies  of  this  kind  in  a  distinguished 
career,  as  colonel  in  the  British  army,  his  plan  was  formed  at 
once,  and  communicated  to  an  officer  of  his  own,  upon  whose 
talent  he  relied  for  its  successful  execution.  This  was  Captain 
Lee,  whose  courage  and  ability  fully  justified  the  selection. 

The  secret  plan  concocted  between  them,  was  this.  It  was  to 
be  given  out  that  Lee  was  absent  on  furlough  or  command.  He, 
meanwhile,  was  to  assume  the  dress  of  a  British  prisoner,  and, 
having  provided  himself  with  information  and  a  story  of  his  cap 
ture,  was  to  be  thrown  into  the  barracks  where  he  might  gain  the 
confidence  of  the  soldiers,  and  join  them  in  a  plan  of  escape. 
How  well  Captain  Lee  sustained  his  part,  may  be  inferred  from 
the  fact  that  when  he  had  disappeared  and  placed  himself  among 
the  prisoners,  his  own  officers  and  soldiers  saw  him  every  day 
without  the  least  suspicion.  The  person  to  whom  the  author  of 
this  sketch  is  indebted  for  these  particulars,  was  4he  intendant  of 
the  prisoners,  and  familiar  with  Lee  ;  but,  though  compelled  to 
see  him  often  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  he  never  penetrated 
the  disguise.  Well  it  was  for  Lee,  that  his  disguise  wras  so  com 
plete.  Had  his  associates  suspected  his  purpose  to  betray  them* 
his  history  would  have  been  embraced  in  the  proverb,  "  dead  men 
tell  no  tales." 

For  many  days  lie  remained  in  this  situation,  making  no  dis 
coveries  whatever.  He  thought  he  perceived  at  times,  signs  of 
intelligence  between  the  prisoners  and  an  old  woman,  who  was 


152        AN  EXTRAORDINARY  ADVENTURE. 

allowed  to  bring  fruit  for  sale,  within  the  enclosure.  She  was 
known  to  be  deaf  and  half-witted,  and  was  therefore  no  object  of 
suspicion.  It  was  known  that  her  son  had  been  disgraced  and 
punished  in  the  American  army,  but  she  had  never  betrayed  any 
malice  on  that  account,  and  no  one  dreamed  that  she  could  have 
had  the  power  to  do  injury  if  she  possessed  the  will.  Lee  watched 
her  closely,  but  saw  nothing  to  confirm  his  suspicions.  Her  d  well 
ing  was  about  a  mile  distant,  a  wild  retreat  where  she  shared  her 
miserable  quarters,  with  a  dog  and  cat,  the  former  of  which 
mounted  guard  over  her  mansion,  while  the  latter  encouraged 
superstitious  fears  that  were  equally  effectual  in  keeping  visitors 
away. 

One  dark,  stormy  night,  in  autumn,  he  was  lying  awake  at 
midnight,  meditating  on  the  enterprise  he  had  undertaken,  which 
though  in  the  beginning  it  had  reccommended  itself  to  his  ro 
mantic  disposition,  had  now  lost  all  its  charms.  It  was  one  of 
those  tempests,  which  in  our  climate  so  often  hang  upon  the  path 
of  the  departing  year.  His  companions  slept  soundly,  but  the 
wind,  which  shook  the  building  to  its  foundation,  and  thivw 
heavy  splashes  of  rain  against  the  window ;  conspired  with  tit*' 
suite  of  his  mind  to  keep  him  wakeful.  All  at  once,  the  door: 
was  gently  opened,  and  a  figure  moved  silently  into  the  room. 
It  was  too  dark  to  observe  its  motions  narrowly,  but  he  could  sec 
that  it  stooped  towards  one  of  the  sleepers  who  immediately  rose: 
next  it  approached  and  touched  him  on  the  shoulder.  Lee  im 
mediately  started  up ;  the  figure  then  allowed  a  slight  gleam 
from  a  dark  lantern  to  pass  over  his  face,  and  as  it  did  so,  whis 
pered  impatiently,  '•  not  the  man — but  come  !"  It  then  occurred 
to  Lee,  that  this  was  the  opportunity  he  then  desired.  The  un 
known  then  whispered  to  him,  to  keep  his  place  till  another  man 


AN  EXTRAORDINARY  ADVENTURE.        153 

was  called  ;  but  just  at  that  moment,  some  noise  disturbed  him, 
and  making  a  sign  to  Lee  to  follow,  he  moved  silently  out  of  the 
room. 

They  found  the  door  of  the  house  unbarred,  and  a  small  part  of 
the  fence  removed,  where  they  passed  out  without  molestation  ; 
the  sentry  had  retired  to  a  shelter  where  he  thought  he  could 
guard  his  post  without  suffering  from  the  rain;  but  Lee  saw  that 
his  conductors  put  themselves  in  preparation  to  silence  him  if  he- 
should  happen  to  address  them.  Just  without  the  fence,  appeared 
a  stooping  figure,  wrapped  in  a  red  cloak,  and  supporting  itself 
with  a  large  stick,  which  Lee  at  once  perceived  could  be  no  other 
than  the  old  fruit  woman.  But  the  most  profound  silence  was 
observed;  a  man  came  out  of  a  thicket  at  a  little  distance,  and 
joined  them,  and  the  whole  party  moved  onward  under  the  guid 
ance  of  the  old  woman.  At  first,  they  frequently  stopped  to  listen, 
but  having  heard  the  sentinels  cry,  "  all's  well,"  they  seemed  re 
assured,  and  moved  with  more  confidence  than  before. 

They  soon  came  near  to  her  cottage,  under  an  overhanging 
bank,  where  a  bright  light  was  shining  out  from  a  little  window 
upon  the  wet  and  drooping  boughs  that  hung  near  it.  The  dog 
received  them  graciously,  and  they  entered.  A  table  was  spread 
with  some  coarse  provisions  upon  it,  and  a  large  jug,  which  one 
of  the  soldiers  was  about  to  seize,  when  the  man  who  conducted 
them,  withheld  him. 

"  No,"  said  he,  "  we  must  first  proceed  to  business."  He  then 
went  to  a  small  closet,  from  which  he  returned  with  what  seemed 
to  have  been  originally  a  bible,  though  now  it  was  worn  to  a  ma 
hogany  color,  and  a  spherical  form.  While  they  were  doing  this, 
Lee  had  time  to  examine  his  companions ;  one  of  whom  was  a 
large,  quite  good -looking  soldier,  the  other  a  short,  stout  man.  with 


154  AN  EXTRAORDINARY  ADVENTURE, 

much  the  aspect  of  a  villain.  They  examined  him  in  turn,  and 
as  Lee  had  formerly  been  obliged  to  punish  the  shorter  soldier 
severely,  he  felt  some  misgivings  when  the  fellow's  eye  rested 
upon  him.  Their  conductor  was  a  middle-aged,  harsh-looking 
man,  whom  Lee  had  never  seen  before. 

As  no  time  was  to  be  lost,  their  guide  explained  to  them  in  a 
few  words,  that,  before  he  should  undertake  his  dangerous  enter 
prise,  he  should  require  of  them  to  swear  upon  the  scriptures,  not 
to  make  the  least  attempt  to  escape,  and  never  to  reveal  the  cir 
cumstances  or  agents  in  the  proceeding,  whatever  might  befal 
them.  The  soldiers,  however,  insisted  on  deferring  this  measure, 
till  they  had  formed  some  slight  acquaintance  with  the  contents 
of  the  jug,  and  expressed  their  sentiments  on  the  subject,  rather 
by  actions  than  words.  In  this  they  were  joined  by  Lee,  who  by 
this  time  had  begun  to  contemplate  the  danger  of  the  enterprise, 
in  a  new  and  unpleasant  point  of  view.  If  he  were  to  be  com 
pelled  to  accompany  his  party  to  New  York,  his  disguise  would  at 
once  be  detected,  and  it  was  certain  that  he  would  be  hanged  aa 
a  spy.  He  had  supposed,  beforehand,  that  he  should  find  no  dif 
ficulty  in  escaping  at  any  moment ;  but  he  saw  that  their  conduc 
tor  had  prepared  arms  for  them,  which  they  were  to  use  in  taking 
the  life  of  any  one  who  should  attempt  to  leave  them — and  then 
the  oath.  He  might  possibly  have  released  himself  from  its  obli 
gations,  when  it  became  necessary  for  the  interests  of  his  countiy  ; 
but  no  honorable  man  can  wrell  bear  to  be  driven  to  an  emergencv, 
in  which  he  must  violate  an  oath,  however  reluctantly  taken.  He 
felt  that  there  was  no  retreating,  when  there  came  a  heavy  shock, 
as  if  something  falling  against  the  sides  of  the  house  ;  their  prac 
ticed  ears  at  once  detected  the  alarm  gun ;  and  their  conductor, 
throwing  down  the  old  bible,  which  he  had  held  all  the  while 


AN     EXTRAORDINARY   ADVENTURE.  155 

impatiently  in  his  hand,  directed  the  party  to  follow  him  in  close 
order,  and  immediately  quitted  the  house,  taking  with  him  his 
dark  lantern. 

They  went  on  with  great  dispatch,  but  not  without  difficulty. 
Sometimes  their  footing  would  give  way  on  some  sandy  bank  or 
slippery  field ;  and  when  their  path  led  through  the  woods,  the 
wet  boughs  dashed  heavily  in  their  faces.  Lee  felt  that  he  might 
have  deserted  his  precious  companions  while  they  were  in  this 
hurry  and  alarm ;  but  he  felt,  that,  as  yet,  he  had  made  no  dis 
coveries  ;  and  however  dangerous  his  situation  was,  he  could  not 
bear  to  confess  that  he  had  not  nerve  to  carry  it  through.  On  he 
went,  therefore,  for  two  or  three  hours,  and  was  beginning  to  sink 
with  fatigue,  when  the  barking  of  a  dog  brought  the  party  to  a 
stand.  Their  conductor  gave  a  low  whistle,  which  was  answered 
at  no  great  distance,  and  a  figure  came  forward  in  4he  darkness 
who  whispered  to  their  guide,  and  then  led  the  way  up  to  a 
building,  which  seemed,  by  the  shadowy  outline,  to  be  a  large 
stone  barn.  They  entered  it,  and  were  severally  placed  in  small 
nooks  where  they  could  feel  that  the  hay  was  all  around  them, 
except  on  the  side  of  the  wall.  Shortly  after,  some  provisions 
were  brought  to  them  with  the  same  silence,  and  it  was  signified 
to  them  that  they  were  to  remain  concealed  through  the  whole  of 
the  coming  day. 

Through  a  crevice  in  the  wall  Lee  could  discover,  as  the  dav 
came  on,  that  the  barn  was  attached  to  a  small  house.  He  was 
so  near  the  house  that  he  could  overhear  the  conversation  which 
was  carried  on  about  the  door.  The  morning  rose  clear,  and  it 
was  evident  from  the  inquiries  of  horsemen,  who  occasionally  gal 
loped  up  to  the  door,  that  the  country  was  alarmed.  The  farmer 
gave  short  and  surly  replies,  as  if  unwilling  to  be  taken  off  from 


156  AN    EXTRAORDINARY"  ADVENTCllE. 

his  labor ;  but  the  other  inmates  were  eager  in  their  questions, 
and,  from  the  answers,  Lee  gathered  that  the  means  by  which,  foe 
and  his  companions  had  escaped  were  as  mysterious  as  ever. 

The  next  night,  when  all  was  quiet,  they  resumed  their  march- 
and  explained  to  Lee,  that,  as  he  was  not  with  them  in  their  con 
spiracy  and  was  accidentally  associated  with  them  in  the!?  escape,. 
they  should  take  the  precaution  to  keep  him  before  them,  justi 
behind  the  guide.  He  submitted  without  opposition,  Uliough  the- 
arrangement  considerably  lessened  the  chances  in  favor  oS  his  es 
cape.  He  observed,  from  the  direction  of  the  stars,  that  they  did! 
not  move  in  a  direct  line  toward  the  Delaware,  but  they  changed! 
their  course  so  often  that  he  could  not  conjecture  at  what  point 
they  intended  to  strike  the  river.  He  endeavored,  whenever 
any  peculiar  object  appeared,  to  fix  it  in  his  memory  as  well 
as  the  darkness  would  permit,  and  succeeded  better  than  could 
have  been  expected,  considering  the  agitated  state  in  which  he 
traveled. 

For  several  nights  they  went  on  in  this  manner,  being  deliver 
ed  over  to  different  persons  from  time  to  time  ;  and  ss  Lee  could 
gather  from  their  whispering  conversation,  they  were  regularly 
employed  on  occasions  like  the  present,  and  well  rewarded  by  th* 
British  for  their  services.  Their  employment  was  full  of  danger ; 
and  though  they  seemed  like  desperate  men,  lie  could  observe 
that  they  never  remitted  their  precautions.  They  were  concealed 
by  day  in  barns — cellars — caves  made  for  the  purpose,  and  simi 
lar  retreats,  and  one  day  was  passed  in  a  tomb,  the  dimensions 
of  which  had  been  enlarged,  and  the  inmates,  if  there  had  beers 
any,  banished  to  make  room  for  the  living.  The  burying  grounds 
were  a  favorite  retreat,  and  on  more  occasions  than  one  the\ 
were  obliged  to  resort  to  superstitious  alarms  to  remove  intruders 


AN    EXTRAORDINARY   ADVENTURE.  157 

upon  their  path  ;  their  success  fully  justified  the  experiment,  and, 
unpleasantly  situated  as  he  was,  in  the  prospect  of  soon  being  a 
ghost  himself,  he  could  not  avoid  laughing  at  the  expedition  with 
which  old  and  young  fled  from  the  fancied  apparitions  under 
clouds  of  night  wishing  to  meet  such  enemies,  like  Ajax,  in  the 
face  of  day. 

Though  the  distance  to  the  Delaware  was  not  great,  they  had 
now  been  twelve  days  on  the  road,  and  such  was  the  vigilance 
and  suspicion  prevailing  throughout  the  country,  that  they  almost 
despaired  of  effecting  their  object.  The  conductor  grew  impa 
tient  ;  and  Lee's  companions,  at  least  one  of  them, ^became  fero 
cious.  There  was,  as  we  have  said,  something  unpleasant  to  him 
in  the  glance  of  this  fellow  toward  him,  which  became  more  and 
more  fierce  as  they  went  on  ;  but  it  did  not  appear  whether  it 
were  owing  to  circumstances  or  actual  suspicion.  It  so  happened 
that,  on  the  twelfth  night,  Lee  was  placed  in  a  barn,  while  the 
rest  of  the  party  sheltered  themselves  in  the  cellar  of  a  little  stone 
church,  where  they  could  talk  and  act  with  more  freedom,  both 
because  the  solitude  of  the  place  was  not  often  disturbed  even  on 
the  Sabbath — and  because  even  the  proprietors  did  not  know 
that  illegal  hands  had  added  a  cellar  to  the  conveniences  of 
the  building. 

The  party  were  seated  here  as  the  day  broke,  and  the  light, 
which  struggled  in  through  crevices  opened  for  the  purpose 
showed  a  low  room  about  twelve  feet  square,  with  a  damp  floor 
and  large  patches  of  white  mould  upon  the  walls.  Finding,  pro- 
bablv.  that  the  pavement  afforded  no  accommodations  for  sleep 
ing,  the  worthies  were  seated  each  upon  a  little  cask,  which  seemed 
like  those  used  for  gunpowder.  Here  they  were  smoking  pipes 
with  great  diligence,  and.  at  intervals  not  distant,  applying  a  huge 


158        AN  EXTRAORDINARY  ADVENTURE. 

canteen  to  their  mouths,  from  which  they  drank  with  upturned 
faces,  expressive  of  solemn  satisfaction.  While  they  were  thus 
engaged,  the  short  soldier  asked  them  in  a  careless  way,  if  they 
knew  whom  they  had  in  the  party.  The  others  started,  and  took 
their  pipes  from  their  mouths  to  ask  him  what  he'meant. 

"  I  mean,"  said  he,  "  that  we  are  honored  with  the  company  of 
Captain  Lee,  of  the  rebel  army.  The  rascal  once  punished  me, 
and  I  never  mistook  my  man  when  I  had  a  debt  of  that  kind  to 
pay.  Now  I  shall  have  my  revenge." 

The  others  hastened  to  express  their  disgust  at  his  ferocity,  say 
ing,  that  if,  as  he  said,  their  companion  was  an  American  officer, 
all  they  had  to  do  was  to  watch  him  closely.  They  said  that,  as 
he  had  came  among  them  uninvited,  he  must  go  with  them  to 
New  York  and  take  the  consequences  ;  but,  meantime,  it  was  their 
interest  not  to  seem  to  suspect  him,  otherwise  he  might  give  an 
alarm,  whereas  it  was  evidently  his  intention  to  go  with  them  till 
they  were  ready  to  embark  for  New  York.  The  other  persisted 
in  saying  that  he  would  have  his  revenge  with  his  own  hand,  upon 
which  the  conductor,  drawing  a  pistol  declared  to  him  that  if  he 
saw  the  least  attempt  to  injure  Captain  Lee,  or  any  conduct  which 
would  lead  him  to  suspect  that  his  disguise  was  discovered,  he 
would  that  moment  shoot  him  through  the  head.  The  soldier 
put  his  hand  upon  his  knife  with  an  ominous  scowl  upon  the  con 
ductor,  but  seeing  that  he  had  to  do  with  one  who  was  likely  to 
be  as  good  as  his  Avord,  he  restrained  himself,  and  began  to  ar 
range  some  rubbish  to  serve  him  for  a  bed.  The  other  soldiers 
followed  his  example,  and  their  guide  withdrew,  locking  the  door 
after  him. 

The  next  night  they  Avent  on  as  usual,  but  the  manner  of  their 
conductor  showed  there  was  more  danger  than  before  ;  in  fm:t,  he 


AN    EXTRAORDINARY  ADVENTURE.  159 

explained  to  the  party,  that  they  were  now  not  far  from  the  Dela 
ware,  and  hoped  to  reach  it  before  midnight.  They  occasionally 
heard  the  report  of  a  musket,  which  seemed  to  indicate  that  some 
movement  was  going  on  in  the  country.  Thus  warned,  they 
quickened  their  steps,  and  it  was  not  long  before  they  saw  a 
gleam  of  broad  clear  light  before  them,  such  as  is  reflected  from 
calm  waters  even  in  the  darkest  nights.  They  moved  up  to  it 
with  deep  silence ;  there  were  various  emotions  in  their  breasts  ; 
Lee  was  hoping  for  an  opportunity  to  escape  from  an  enterprize, 
which  was  growing  too  serious,  and  the  principal  objects  of 
which  were  already  answered  ;  the  others  were  anxious  lest  some 
accident  might  have  happened  to  the  boat  on  which  they  de 
pended  for  crossing  the  stream. 

When  they  came  to  the  bank  there  were  no  traces  of  a  boat  on 
the  waters.  Their  conductor  stood  still  for  a  moment  in  dismay ; 
but,  recollecting  himself,  he  said  it  was  possible  it  might  have 
been  secured  lower  down  the  stream,  and,  forgetting  everything 
else,  he  directed  the  larger  soldier  to  accompany  him,  and,  giving 
a  pistol  to  the  other,  he  whispered,  "  if  the  rebel  officer  attempt 
to  betray  us,  shoot  him ;  if  not,  you  will  not,  for  your  own  sake, 
make  any  noise  to  show  where  we  are."  In  the  same  instant 
they  departed,  and  Lee  was  left  alone  with  the  ruffian. 

He  had  before  suspected  the  fellow  knew  him,  and  now  doubts 
were  changed  to  certainty  at  once.  Dark  as  it  was,  it  seemed  as 
if  fire  flashed  from  his  eye,  now  that  he  felt  revenge  was  in  his 
power.  Lee  was  as  brave  as  any  officer  in  the  army  ;  but  he  was 
unarmed,  and  though  he  was  strong,  his  adversary  was  still  more 
powerful.  While  he  stood,  uncertain  what  to  do,  the  fellow 
seemed  to  be  enjoying  the  prospect  of  revenge,  as  he  looked  upon 
him  with  a  steady  eye.  Though  the  officer  stood  in  appearance 


160  AN    EXTRAORDINARY  ADVENTURE. 

unmoved,  the  sweat  rolled  in  heavy  drops  from  his  brow.  He 
soon  took  his  resolution,  and  sprang  upon  his  adversary  with  the 
intention  of  wresting  the  pistol  from  his  hand ;  but  the  other  was 
upon  his  guard,  and  aimed  with  such  precision,  that,  had  the  pis 
tol  been  charged  with  a  bullet,  that  moment  would  have  been  his 
last.  But  it  seemed  that  the  conductor  had  trusted  to  the  sight 
of  his  Aveapons  to  render  the  use  of  them  unnecessary,  and  had 
therefore  loaded  them  only  with  powder ;  as  it  was,  the  shock 
threw  Lee  to  the  ground  ;  but- fortunately  as  the  fellow  dropped 
the  pistol,  it  fell  where  Lee  could  reach  it,  and  as  -his  adversary 
stooped,  and  was  drawing  his  knife  from  his  bosom,  Lee  was  able 
to  give  him  a  stunning  blow.  He  immediately  threw  himself  upon 
the  assassin,  and  a  long  and  bloody  struggle  began ;  they  were 
so  nearly  matched  in  strength  and  advantage,  that  neither  dared 
unclench  his  hold  for  the  sake  of  grasping  the  knife  ;  the  blood 
gushed  from  their  mouths,  and  the  combat  would  have  probably 
ended  in  favor  of  the  assassin,  when  steps  and  voices  were  heard 
advancing,  and  they  found  themselves  in  the  hands  of  a  party  of 
countrymen,  who  were  armed  for  the  occasion,  and  were  scouring 
the  banks  of  the  river.  They  were  forcibly  torn  apart,  but  so  ex 
hausted  and  breathless,  that  neither  could  make  any  explanation, 
and  they  submitted  quietly  to  the  disposal  of  their  captors. 

The  party  of  armed  countrymen  though  they  had  succeeded 
in  their  attempt,  and  were  sufficiently  triumphant  on  the  occasion, 
were  sorely  perplexed  to  determine  how  to  dispose  of  their  pris 
oners.  After  some  discussion,  one  of  them  proposed  to  obtain  the 
decision  of  the  wisdom  of  the  nearest  magistrate.  They  accord 
ingly  proceeded  with  their  prisoners  to  his  mansion,  about  two 
miles  distant,  and  called  on  him  to  rise  and  attend  to  business. 
A  window  was  hastily  thrown  up.  and  the  justice  put  forth  his 


AX  EXTRAORDINARY  ADVENTURE.         161 

night-capped  head,  and,  with  more  wrath  than  became  his  dignity, 
ordered  them  oft';  and,  in  requital  for  their  calling  him  out  of 
bed  in  the  cold,  generously  wished  them-  to  the  warmest  place 
which  then  occurred  to  his  imagination.  However,  resistance  was 
vain  ;  he  was  compelled  to  rise  ;  and,  as  soon  as  the  prisoners 
were  brought  before  him,  he  ordered  them  to  be  taken  in  irons 
to  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  Lee  improved  the  opportunity  to 
take  the  old  gentleman  aside,  and  told  him  who  he  was,  and  whv 
he  was  thus  disguised ;  the  justice  only  interrupted  him  with  the 
occasional  inquiry,  "  Most  done  ?"  When  he  had  finished,  the 
magistrate  told  him  that  his  story  was  very  well  made,  and  told 
in  a  manner  very  creditable  to  his  address,  and  that  he  should 
give  it  all  the  weight  it  seemed  to  require.  All  Lee's  remon 
strance  were  unavailing. 

As  soon  as  they  were  fairly  lodged  HI  prison,  Lee  prevailed  on 
the  jailor  to  carry  a  note  to  Gen.  Lincoln,  informing  him  of  his 
condition.  The  general  received  it  as  he  was  dressing  in  the 
morning,  and  immediately  sent  one  of  his  aids  to  the  jail.  That 
officer  could  not  believe  his  eyes  when  he  saw  Captain  Lee.  Ilis 
uniform,  worn  out  when  he  assumed  it,  was  now  hanging  in  rags 
about  him,  and  he  had  not  been  shaved  for  a  fortnight ;  he  wished, 
very  naturally,  to  improve  his  appearance  before  presenting  him 
self  before  the  Secretary  of  War;  but  the  orders  were  peremptory 
to  bring  him  as  he  was.  The  general  loved  a  joke  full  well ;  his 
laughter  was  hardly  exceeded  by  the  report  of  his  own  cannon  , 
and  long  and  loud  did  he  laugh  that  day. 

When  Captain  Lee  returned  to  Lancaster,  he  immediately  at 
tempted  to  retrace  the  ground ;  and  so  accurate,  under  all  the 
unfavorable  circumstances,  had  been  his  investigation,  that  he 
brought  to  justice  fifteen  persons,  who  had  aided  the  escape  of 


162  MISS    MOORE. 

British  prisoners.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  to  those  who 
know  the  fate  of  revolutionary  officers,  that  he  received,  for  this 
hazardous  and  effectual  service,  no  reward  whatever. 


MISS  MOORE. 

Miss  BEHETHLAND  MOORE,  the  daughter  of  Captain  Moore, 
who  was  present  at  Braddock's  defeat,  and  who  died  in  1770, 
resided  with  her  mother  and  step-father,  Captain  Samuel  Savage, 
in  Edgefield  District,  South  Carolina.  Her  youth  was  passed 
among  the  eventful  scenes  of  our  revolution,  and  a  number  of  in 
cidents  are  related,  that  go  to  prove  her  calm  courage,  and  her 
inflexibility  of  purpose.  She  was  born  in  1764,  and  therefore,  in 
the  earlier  part  of  the  contest  was  nothing  more  than  a  child. 

The  terrors  of  the  war  were  often  enacted  before  the  very  door 
of  her  step-father's  residence.  On  t>ne  occasion,  a  most  san 
guinary  skirmish  took  place  just  before  the  house,  between  a 
a  body  of  Col.  Washington's  cavalry,  and  some  of  Rawdon's  men. 
Shortly  after  a  party  of  the  British  in  search  of  plunder,  broke 
into  the  house.  But  the  family  had  been  forewarned,  and  con 
cealed  their  treasures.  In  searching  for  plunder  they  discovered 
a  quantity  of  apples,  and  began  to  roll  them  down  the  stairs, 
while  the  soldiers  below  picked  them  up.  Miss  Moore,  nothing- 
fearing,  commanded  them  to  desist,  with  an  air  so  determined 
and  resolute,  that  an  officer  standing  by,  admiring  so  courageous 
a  spirit  in  a  girl  so  young,  ordered  the  soldiers  to  obey  her. 

On  another  occasion,  a  party  of  tories  in  pillaging  the  house, 
commanded  one  of  the  servants  to  bring  them  the  horses.  Miss 


MISS   MOORE.  163 

Moore  commanded  him  not  to  obey.  The  tories  repeated  the 
order,  accompanied  with  a  threat  to  beat  him  if  he  refused.  The 
command  of  the  young  girl  was  reiterated,  and  just  as  the  tory 
was  about  putting  his  threat  into  execution,  she  threw  herself  be 
tween  them,  and  preserved  the  slave  from  the  intended  violence. 
At  one  time,  great  danger  was  threatening  Captain  Wallace, 
who  commanded  a  small  force,  a  few  miles  distant.  It  was  of 
the  utmost  importance  that  this  intelligence  should  be  conveyed 
to  him,  but  there  was  no  male  whose  services  could  be  commanded, 
and,  therefore,  Miss  Moore  volunteered  to  convey  ffie  message 
herself.  Thif  was  when  she  was  but  fifteen.  Midnight  was 
chosen  as  the  hour,  and  accompanied  by  her  little  brother,  and  a 
female  friend,  she  set  out  in  a  canoe  up  the  river  towards  the  en 
campment  of  the  whigs.  Silently  and  swiftly  they  propelled  their 
frail  vessel  up  the  dark  current,  through  forests  buried  in  dark 
ness,  and  a  profound  silence  that  awed  them  ;  with  the  calm  stars 
above,  and  the  deep  river  gloomily  rolling  'by,  and  no  human 
sounds  to  relieve  the  oppressive  solemnity  of  the  hour.  It  was 
the  hour  too,  when  the  enemy  usually  set  out  on  their  marauding 
expeditions,  and  the  young  girls  knew  that  neither  their  sex,  nor 
innocence  would  preserve  them  from  ruthless  foes,  who  were 
more  relentless  and  cruel,  than  the  swarthy  savages  of  the  forest. 
But  the  fate  of  many  of  their  countrymen  depended  on  their  exer 
tions,  and,  as  it  proved,  the  future  destiny  of  our  heroine,  was  in 
volved  in  the  successful  issue  of  their  enterprise.  Undismayed  by 
the  perils  of  the  journey,  the  young  girls  bent  their  energies  to 
the  task  before  them,  and  at  last  saw  lights  glimmering  in  the 
distance,  that  pointed  out  their  destination.  They  soon  reached 
the  encampment,  a  picturesque  scene,  with  the  ruddy  glow  from 
the  camp  fires,  casting  the  surrounding  scene  in  still  greater  shadow, 


164  MISS  MOORE. 

and  motley  groups  of  figures  gathered  around  the  tires,  sleeping, 
talking,  eating,  <fec.  After  delivering  the  warning  to  Captain 
Wallace,  the  girls  embarked  in  their  canoe  to  return,  and  soon 
left  the  encampment  behind,  winding  their  way  through  dense 
forests,  and  reached  their  home  in  safety. 

The  next  morning,  a  handsome  and  gallant  looking  American 
officer,  rode  up  to  the  door  of  Captain  Savage's  residence,  and  re 
quested  to  make  a  few  inquiries  of  the  young  lady,  by  whose  en 
ergy  and  zeal  her  countrymen  had  been  saved  from  an  impending 
danger.  Miss  Moore  appeared,  and  when  her  youthful  and 
blooming  beauty  greeted  the  eyes  of  the  young  officer,  an  excla 
niation  of  pleasure  burst  from  his  lips.  He  almost  forgot  to 
make  his  inquiries,  until  reminded  bv  the  blushing  damsel,  but 
her  voice  rather  increased  than  relieved  his  embarrassment.  All 
his  questions  having  been  at  last  answered,  and  having  no  excuse 
by  which  to  prolong  the  interview,  he  was  reluctantly  compelled 
to  depart,  but  his  eyes  to  the  last  rested  on  the  fair  girl's  form. 
It  is  said  that  the  young  lady  was  no  less  struck  with  the  hand 
some  dragoon's  figure,  and  that  his  face  came  often  to  her  in  her 
dreams  that  night. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  young  officer  made  an  excuse  tor 
again  visiting  the  house  where  resided  the  beauty  who  had  bound 
him  captive  to  her  charms,  and  as  these  impressions  were  recipro 
cal,  he  soon  discovered  welcome  in  her  manner,  and  drew  happy 
auguries  therefrom.  He  became  an  accepted  suitor.  But  then- 
love  in  a  measure  verified  the  old  adage.  The  step-father  op 
posed  the  union  ;  at  first  strenuously,  but  the  perseverance  of  the 
lover,  gradually  broke  down  his  opposition,  and  he  eventually 
yielded  consent. 


MISS  MOORE.  165 

It  was  not  till  1784,  that  Miss  Moore  became  united  to  Captain 
William  Butler,  afterwards  General*  Butler,  member  of  Congress, 
from  1801  till  1814,  and  commander  of  the  southern  forces,  as 
Major  General,  during  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain. 

Mrs.  Butler  filled  a  distinguished  place  in  society,  and  was  cele 
brated  for  her  lofty  virtues,  high  intelligence,  and  graceful  refine 
ment.  Her  distinguished  husband  died  in  1821,  but  not  until 
quite  recently  was  she  called  upon  to  close  her  mortal  career. 


ADVENTURES  OF  MR.  FERRIS. 

AT  early  morn,  of  a  day  in  September,  1776,  a  long  line  of 
boats  put  off  from  the  enemy's  fleet,  which  for  some  days  had 
been  lying  nearly  opposite  Throg's  Neck,  on  Long  Island 
sound,  and  approached  in  an  imposing  manner  to  the  shore.  The 
gay  regimentals  of  the  soldiers,  and  th.-j  glittering  bayonets  that 
threw  back  the  sun's  rays  in  floods  of  brilliant  and  dazzling  light, 
with  the  sounds  of  martial  music,  and  the  occasional  solemn  boom 
ing  of  a  gun,  presented  a  beautiful  and  inspiriting  scene.  But  to 
the  residents  of  the  country,  who  were  tremblingly  watching  the 
disembarkation,  the  pageant  was  only  one  of  terror,  and  as  with 
heavy  hearts  they  watched  the  invaders  land  upon  their  soil,  their 
bosoms  sunk  in  hopeless  despair,  and  a  long  era  of  oppression, 
suffering,  and  imprisonment  was  opened  to  them,  of  which  this 
was  the  first  scene  in  the  drama. 

In  the  house  of  James  Ferris,  a  large  land  holder,  and  wealthy 
farmer,  residing  on  the  Neck,  a  cheerful  and  happy  family  group 
were  gathered  at  the  morning  meal.  But  as  thev  arose  from  the 


166  ADVENTURES  OF  MR.  FERRIS. 

table,  the  appalling  sight  burst  upon  their  view,  and  in  an  instant 
peace  and  contentment  were  changed  into  dismay  and  terror. 
Part  of  the  troops  had  already  landed,  and  their  danger  was  im 
minent.  Mr.  Ferris  was  aged  and  crippled,  and  thus  escape  to 
him  was  impossible,  but  his  son,  Thomas  Ferris,  a  young  man  of 
twenty,  he  determined  to  save  for  future  services  to  his  country. 
The  trembling  hands  of  the  whole  family  group,  were  immediately 
engaged  in  preparing  him  for  departure  *,  his  clothes  were  hastily 
tied  up  in  a  handkerchief,  and  with  his  musket  thrown  over  his 
shoulder,  he  sprang  upon  the  horse  ready  saddled  at  the  door,  and 
galloped  off  toward  the  head  of  the  Neck.  But  he  was  observed 
by  the  British,  and  a  party  sent  to  prevent  his  escape.  lie  suc 
ceeded,  however,  in  reaching  the  head  of  the  Neck  before  his  ene 
mies,  but  as  lie  crossed  the  bridge,  a  volley  of  musketry  was  dis 
charged  after  him  by  the  disappointed  soldiery.  Not  a  bullet 
touched  him,  however,  and  he  hurried  forward  to  join  the  Ame 
rican  ranks. 

The  members  of  the  family,  whose  peace  had  been  thus  sud 
denly  disturbed,  meanwhile,  remained  in  the  most  keen  anxiety 
as  to  the  fate  of  the  fugitive.  The  discharges  which  they  heard 
did  not  serve  to  allay  their  fears,  but  the  approach  of  the  enemv 
to  the  door,  turned  their  thoughts  to  their  own  danger.  Mr.  Fer 
ris  had  hoped  that  his  age,  and  his  inaction  in  the  contest,  would 
preserve  him  from  molestation.  But  he  was  mistaken.  When, 
indeed,  in  the  course  of  the  war,  was  a  dependence  on  British 
mercy  justified  !  He  was  ruthlessly  seized,  and  torn  from  his  fa 
mily,  despite  their  entreaties,  and  sent  to  New  York  as  a  prisoner. 
We  are  all  aware  of  the  terrible  sufferings  of  the  American  captives 
confined  in  New  York,  and  of  the  attrocities  practiced  upon  them 
by  their  inhuman  keepers.  Mr.  Ferris  was  thrown  into  the  old 


ADVENTURES  OF  MR.  FERRIS.  167 

sugar-house  prison,  where,  subjected  to  every  exposure,  half  star 
ved,  and  compelled  to  eat  the  unwholesome  food  placed  before 
him,  he  contracted  a  disease  which  then  prevailed  among  tjie  pri. 
soners.  His  strength  became  utterly  prostrated,  and  he  was 
brought  to  an  extremity  of  suffering,  difficult  to  realize.  But  du 
ring  the  term  of  his  confinement,  Mrs.  Ferris,  who  was  a  deter 
mined  and  resolute  woman,  went  into  the  city  for  the  purpose  of 
attempting  to  procure  his  liberation.  Undaunted  by  the  innume 
rable  obstacles  in  such  an  attempt,  and  undismayed  by  the  al 
most  utter  hopelessness,  she  persevered  to  the  last,  and  eventually 
procured  his  release.  But  it  was  at  an  hour  when  disease  had 
wasted  his  strength,  and  death  was  hovering  so  close  upon  him 
that  his  captors  considered  him  of  no  more  danger  to  the  cause 
of  his  majesty.  The  devoted  wife  bore  him  to  her  home,  only  to 
see  him  die.  It  was  but  a  few  days  after  he  was  borne  out  from 
his  pestilential  dungeon,  that  he  was  carried  to  his  last  earthly 
abode ;  and  the  soil  that  rested  upon  his  bosom,  covered  one  of 
the  many  martyrs  who  purchased  the  liberty  of  their  country,  not 
in  the  wild  excitement  of  the  battle  field,  but  in  the  silent,  slow, 
and  unanimated  agonies  of  the  dungeon  ;  by  the  cancker  of  suf 
fering  that  eat  into  their  souls  and  consumed  their  heart-strings. 
Thomas  Ferris,  young  and  active,  with  a  vigorous  and  powerful 
frame,  now  became  one  of  the  deadliest  and  most  dangerous  ene 
mies  to  the  invader.  We  can  readily  imagine  that  the  horrors 
which  surrounded  his  father's  untimely  end,  gave  an  edge  to  his 
animosity,  and  often  nerved  his  arm  in  the  contest.  He  was  ge 
nerally  employed  in  collecting  information  of  the  movements  of 
the  British  forces,  and  this  duty  brought  him  into  frequent  con 
nection  with  Luther  Kennicut,  one  of  those  persons  employed  by 
the  commander-in-chief  to  frequent  the  camp  of  the  enemy  in  the 


168  ADVENTURES  OF  MR.  FERRIS. 

capacities  of  spies,  and  who  have  been  immortalized  in  the  cha 
racter  of  Harvey  Birch.*  This  class  of  men  in  doing  signal  service 
to  their  country,  were  placed  in  situations  most  trying  to  their 
patriotism.  They  were  usually  suspected  to  be  refugees,  and  as 
such  were  frequently  exposed  to  the  honest  indignation  of  their 
whig  neighbors,  and  indignities  thus  heaped  upon  them  by  those 
whom  they  served,  could  only  have  been  allayed  by  the  conscious 
ness  of  the  great  benefits  their  services  were  conferring  upon  the 
patriotic  cause.  They  usually  went  about  as  pedlars,  and  would 
pass  through  the  enemy's  lines,  and  even  penetrate  into  the  very 
presence  of  the  British  leaders,  by  means  of  their  pursuit,  with 
unsuspected  impunity.  This  Kennicut  was  one  of  the  most  active 
men  thus  employed.  Whenever  any  movement  was  in  contem 
plation  by  the  British  army,  he  would  adroitly  manage  to  become 
possessed  of  all  the  particulars,  tfncl  then  pass  through  the  line 
under  the  pretence  of  selling  his  artSoloo,  RU<!  mating  his  accom 
plices  in  secret  places,  at  night,  in  the  depths  of  the  wood,  convey 
his  intelligence  to  the  American  officers.  Young  Ferris  was  of 
those  employed  in  receiving  the  intelligence  thus  gained  by  Ken 
nicut;  and  he  declared  after  the  war  that  many  serious  conse 
quences  were  averted  from  the  American  army,  by  means  of  the 
faithful  services  of  the  despised,  but  patriotic  pedlar. 

In  one  of  the  many  interviews  between  Ferris  and  Kennicut,  a 
bold  plan  was  conceived  by  them  for  the  surprise  and  capture  of 
one  of  the  principal  British  officers  while  in  his  own  camp.  The 
British  army  were  encamped  on  Throg's  Neck,  and  the  quarters 
of  the  officer,  whom  they  designed  to  capture,  were  in  the  house 
of  Mr.  Ferris.  Two  other  enterprising  patriots  were  engaged  in 

*  Kennicut  was  the  original  of  this  celebrated  character  of  Cooper's. 


ADVENTURES    OF  MR.  FERRIS.  169 

the  attempt.  On  the  evening  fixed  upon,  Ferns  and  his  two 
companions,  Kennicut  appointing  to  meet  them  on  the  Neck,  cau 
tiously  approached  the  sentinels.  Their  manner  of  passing  the 
guard,  was  ingenious  and  bold.  It  was  done  by  crawling  along 
the  shore  through  the  sedge,  cautiously  advancing  as  the  senti 
nel's  back  was  turned  toward  them,  and  when  he  advanced,  they 
would  lie  close  and  still  in  the  seclge.  By  this  slow  and  critical 
means,  they  at  last  passed  the  sentinel,  and  got  on  to  the  Neck, 
and  soon  joined  Kennicut  at  the  place  of  meeting.  A  place  of 
concealment  was  now  found  for  them,  and  the  plan  for  the  cap 
ture  arranged,  which  was  to  take  place  at  midnight  of  the  next 
evening.  Young  Ferris  who  was  acquainted  with  the  house,  was 
to  conduct  the  party  to  the  apartment  of  the  officer,  whom  they 
were  to  seize,  gag,  and  muffle,  and  escape  with  him  from  the 
Neck  as  expeditiously  and  silently  as  possible.  It  was  a  daring 
plan,  but  its  success  would  crown  them  with  lasting  honor.  After 
the  completion  of  all  the  arrangements,  Kennicut  left  them.  Some 
little  time  after  his  departure,  Ferris  becoming  very  thirsty,  in 
cautiously  ventured  to  the  well,  near  to  the  house,  for  the  purpose 
of  procuring  water,  when  he  was  observed  and  recognized  by  one 
of  the  negro  slaves  belonging  to  the  house.  In  a  few  minutes 
after  this  incident,  Kennicut  came  to  them  hurriedly,  and  in 
formed  them  that  their  presence  on  the  Neck  was  known,  that 
the  guard  was  doubled  all  round  the  Neck,  and  that  a  thorough 
search  was  ordered  to  be  made  for  them,  at  the  first  approach  of 
daylight.  They  were  now  in  a  critical  situation.  To  escape  from 
the  Neck  in  the  same  manner  they  reached  it,  was  impossible,  as 
at  this  point  a  vigilant  watch  would  doubtless  be  stationed.  Fer 
ris  proposed  to  escape  by  swimming,  but  his  two  companions  could 
not  swim,  and  they  begged  most  earnestly  not  to  be  abandoned. 


170  ADVENTURES  OF  MR.   FERRIS- 

But  the  resources  of  men  inured  to  danger,  and  familiar  with  stra 
tagem,  were  not  exhausted.  Towards  the  lower  end  of  the  Neck 
there  was  an  old  stone  wall,  which  had  been  built  double,  and 
which  was  surrounded  by  a  thick  and  tangled  mass,  of  plumb 
bushes.  The  plan  was  to  remove  one  side  of  the  wall,  and  rebuild 
it  in  such  a  manner  so  as  to  afford  hollow  places  for  their  conceal 
ment.  Ferris  and  Kennicut  first  built  in  their  two  companions, 

/ 

and  lastly,  Ferris  took  his  place,  and  Kennicut  alone  completed 
the  entombment.  These  singular  and  ingenious  cages  having 
been  finished,  Kennicut  surveyed  them  closely,  and  with  scrutiny 
on  all  sides.  The  form  of  the  wall  was  but  little  altered  from  its 
original  shape,  while  the  screen  work  of  bushes  effectually  cur 
tained  it  from  observation.  Assured  of  the  completeness  of  the 
concealment,  Kennicut,  with  a  few  words  of  caution,  left  Ferris 
and  his  companions  in  their  voluntary  imprisonment,  with  a  prom 
ise  to  return  to  them  whenever  he  might  do  so  with  prudence. 

The  situation  of  our  heroes,  must  indeed  have  been  trying.  It 
was  not  long  before  daylight  appeared,  and  then  they  could  hear 
the  search  that  was  going  on  all  around  them.  Presently  the 
tramp  of  soldiers  was  heard,  which  grew  nearer  and  nearer,  and 
their  hearts  sank  desparingly  within  them,  as  they  could  detect 
their  approach  directly  to  the  spot  where  they  were  concealed. 
Two  files  of  soldiers,  one  on  each  side  of  the  wall,  came  along 
close  by  the  side  of  the  Avail,  and  so  near  to  them,  that  with  a 
switch  two  feet  long,  the  prisoners  could  have  touched  them.  Sud 
denly,  and  to  the  great  terror  of  the  adventurers,  the  word  of  hall 
was  given,  and  our  heroes  believed  their  discovery  certain.  The 
grass  which  had  been  trampled  down  by  them  in  the  process  of 
erecting  their  prisons,  arrested  the  attention  of  the  soldiers,  and  a 
brief  conference  as  to  its  cause,  was  held  within  hearing  of  the 


ADVENTURES  OF   MR.  FERRIS.  171 

captives.  One  remarked,  that  "  there  the  d— — d  rebels  must  have 
lain  last  night," — but  another  was  of  opinion,  that  it  was  where 
the  deserters,  who  had  escaped  the  day  previous,  had  lain  during 
the  night.  Satisfied  with  this  solution  of  the  cause,  the  party  re 
sumed  their  march,  much  to  the  relief  and  delight  of  our  incar 
cerated  friends.  They  remained  in  their  concealment  the  entire 
day,  and  much  of  the  ensuing  night,  without  food,  and  in  a  state 
of  unceasing  anxiety.  Towards  morning,  Kennicut  came  and  re 
leased  them.  They  now  abandoned  their  intention  of  securing 
the  officer,  and  set  about  escaping  from  the  Neck  in  the  same 
manner  they  had  come  upon  it. 

Mr.  Ferris  was  frequently  engaged  in  enterprizes  of  a  similar 
nature  to  this,  during  the  period  of  the  war.  On  one  occasion, 
he  accompanied  an  expedition  in  two  whale  boats,  eastward,  and 
approaching  Stonington  they  resolved  to  cut  out  two  vessels,  a 
sloop  and  a  schooner  belonging  to  the  British,  which  were  lying 
at  anchor  in  the  harbor.  At  the  hour  of  midnight,  when  all  was 
hushed  and  still,  they  cautiously  rowed  towards  the  vessels,  the 
one  to  which  Mr.  Ferris  belonged  approaching  the  schooner.  But 
one  man  walked  its  deck,  the  others  being  asleep  below,  and  he 
seemed  to  be  unconscious  of  the  danger  which  threatened  the  ves 
sel.  Xot  a  sound  denoted  their  approach,  and  the  boat  was  by 
the  vessel's  side,  and  the  assailants  already  pouring  upon  the  deck, 
ere  the  sentinel  was  aware  of  the  attack.  A  pistol  at  his  head 
commanded  immediate  silence,  or  death  the  penalty,  and  in  a 
moment  the  hatches  and  companion-way  were  secured,  the  cables 
cut,  the  sails  hoisted,  and  they  slowly  moved  from  the  shore.  But 
at  this  juncture  they  were  saluted  by  cannon  from  the  battery  on 
shore,  the  alarm  having  been  given  by  the  hoisting  of  the  sails, 
and  with  balls  ploughing  the  sea  about  them  and  occasionally 

7 


172  RXPLOITS    OF    SERGEANT    JASPER. 

whistling  through  the  rigging,  they  stood  out  to  sea,  but  were 
soon  out  of  sight  and  beyond  the  reach  of  the  enemy. 

Numerous  adventures  and  "  hair-breadth  'scapes "  occurred  to 
Mr.  Ferris  during  the  eventful  period  of  the  war,  but  the  forego 
ing,  from  their  daring  and  ingenuity  particularly  commend  them 
selves  to  the  admiration  of  the  reader.  The  author  is  indebted  to 
a  son  of  Mr.  Ferris,  now  residing  in  Westchester  County,  in  this 
State,  for  the  particulars  of  the  above  sketch. 


EXPLOITS  OF  SERGEANT  JASPER. 

,  EVERY  reader  of  American  history  is  acquainted  with  the  name 
of  Sergeant  Jasper.  He  served  in  "  Marion's  Brigade,"  and  by 
his  heroism  and  talents  he  won  a  reputation  rarely  acquired  by 
one  in  so  obscure  a  position.  At  the  celebrated  battle  of  Fort 
Moultrie,  in  the  hottest  fire  of  the  battle,  the  flag  of  the  fort  was 
shot  away,  and  fell  without  the  fort.  Jasper  instantly  leapt  over 
the  ramparts  on  to  the  beach,  where  he  was  fully  exposed  to  a 
most  terrific  fire,  and  seizing  the  flag,  bound  it  to  a  sponge  staff, 
and  stuck  it  on  the  rampart  in  the  sand.  This  act  was  performed 
with  the  most  undisturbed  coolness,  and  received  the  acclamations 
of  the  soldiers.  After  the  battle,  Gen.  Rutledge  presented  hiir, 
with  a  sword  as  a  token  of  esteem  for  his  chivalrous  bravery. 

"  Jasper  possessed  remarkable  talents  for  a  scout.  He  could 
wear  all  diguises  with  admirable  ease  and  dexterity.  He  was  a 
perfect  Proteus,  in  ability  to  alter  his  appearance  ;  perpetually  en 
tering  the  camp  of  the  enemy,  without  detection,  and  invariably 
returning  to  his  own  with  soldiers  he  had  seduced,  or  prisoners  he 


EXPLOITS    OF    SERGEANT    JASPER.  173 

had  captured.  Such  was  the  confidence  in  his  fidelity  and  skill, 
that  a  roving  commission  was  granted  him,  with  liberty  to  pick 
his  associates  from  the  brigade.  Of  these  he  seldom  chose  more 
than  six.  He  would  often  go  off  and  return  with  a  prisoner  be- 

• 

fore  his  absence  was  known.  He  was  known  to  catch  a  party 
tli at  was  looking  for  him.  On  one  occasion  lie  went  into  the  Bri 
tish  lines  at  Savannah,  as  a  deserter,  and  was  gladly  received. 
After  a  stay  of  eight  days  in  which  time  he  learned  of  the  strength, 
situation  and  intentions  of  the  enemy,  he  returned  to  his  com 
panions. 

"While  in  the  exercise  of  his  roving  privileges  he,  on  one  oc 
casion,  visited  the  post  of  the  enemy  at  Ebenezer.  At  this  post 
he  had  a  brother,  who  held  the  same  rank  in  the  British  service, 
that  he  held  in  the  American.  This  instance  was  quite  too  com 
mon  in  the  history  of  the  period  and  country,  to  occasion  much 
surprise,  or  cause  any  suspicion  of  the  integrity  of  either  party. 
William  Jasper  loved  his  brother  and  wished  to  see  him  :  it  is 
very  certain,  at  the  same  time,  that  he  did  not  deny  himself  the 
privilege  of  seeing  all  around  him.  The  Tory  was  alarmed  at 
William's  appearance  in  the  British  camp,  but  the  other  quieted 
his  fears,  by  representing  himself  as  no  longer  an  Americrtti  sol 
dier.  He  checked  the  joy  which  this  declaration  excited  in  his 
brother's  mind,  by  assuring  him  that,  though  he  found  little  en 
couragement  in  fighting  for  his  country,  "  he  had  not  the  heart 
to  fight  against  her."  Our  scout  lingered  for  two  or  three  days 
in  the  British  camp,  and  then,  by  a  detour,  regained  that  of  the 
American's ;  reporting  to  his  Commander  all  that  he  had  seen. 
He  was  encouraged  to  repeat  his  visit  a  few  weeks  after,  but  this 
time  he  took  with  him  a  comrade,  one  Sergeant  Newton,  a  fellow 
quite  as  brave  in  spirit,  and  strong  in  body  as  himself.  Here  he 


174  EXPLOITS    OF    SERGEANT    JASPER. 

was  again  well  received  by  his  brother,  who  entertained  tlie 
guests  kindly  for  several  days.  Meanwhile,  a  small  party  of 
Americans  wei*e  brought  into  Ebenezer  as  captives,  over  whom 
hung  the  danger  of  "  short,  shrift  and  sudden  cord."'  They  were 
on  their  way  to  Savannah  for  trial.  They  had  taken  arms  with 
the  British,  as  hundreds  more  had  done,  when  the  country  was 
deemed  reconquered  ;  but,  on  the  approach  of  the  American 
army,  had  rejoined  their  countrymen,  and  were  now  once  more  at 
the  mercy  of  the  power  with  which  they  had  broken  faith.  '  It 
will  go  hard  with  them,'  said  the  Tory  Jasper  to  his  Whig  bro 
ther  ;  but  the  secret  comment  of  the  other  was,  '  it  shall  go  hard 
with  me  first.'  There  was  a  woman,  the  wife  of  one  of  the  pris 
oners,  who,  with  her  child,  kept  them  company.  William  Jasper 
and  his  friend  were  touched  by  the  spectacle  of  their  distress ; 
and  they  conferred  together,  as  soon  as  they  were  alone,  as  to  the 
possibility  of  rescuing  them.  Their  plan  was  soon  adopted.  It 
was  a  simple  one,  such  as  naturally  suggests  itself  to  a  hardy 
and  magnanimous  character.  The  prisoners  had  scarcely  left  the 
post  for  Savannah,  under  a  guard  of  eight  men,  a  sergeant  and 
corporal,  when  they  took  leave  of  their  host,  and  set  forth  also, 
though  in  a  different  direction  from  the  guard.  Changing  their 
course  when  secure  from  observation,  they  stretched  across  the 
country  and  followed  the  footsteps  of  the  unhappy  captives.  But 
it  was  only  in  the  pursuit  that  they  became  truly  conscious  of  the 
difficulty,  nay,  seeming  impossibility,  of  effecting  their  object. 
The  guard  was  armed,  and  ten  in  number ;  they  but  two,  and 
weaponless.  Hopeless,  they  nevertheless  followed  on.  Two  miles 
from  Savannah  there  is  a  famous  spring,  the  waters  of  which  are 
well  known  to  travelers.  The  conjecture  that  the  guard  might 
stop  there,  with  the  prisoners,  for  refreshment,  suggested  itself  to 


EXPLOITS    OP    SERGEANT    JASPER.  175 

our  companions ;  here,  opportunities  might  occur  for  tfle  rescue, 
which  had  nowhere  before  presented  themselves.  Taking  an  ob 
scure  path  with  which  they  were  familiar,  which  led  them  to  the 
spot  before  the  enemy  could  arrive,  they  placed  themselves  in 
ambush  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  the  spring.  They 
had  not  long  to  wait.  Their  conjecture  proved  correct.  The 
guard  was  halted  on  the  road  opposite  the  spring.  The  corporal 
with  four  men  conducted  the  captives  to  the  water,  while  the  ser 
geant,  with  the  remainder  of  his  force,  having  made  them  ground 
their  arms  near  the  road,  brought  up  the  rear.  The  prisoners 
threw  themselves  upon  the  earth — the  woman  and  her  child,  near 
its  father.  Little  did  any  of  them  dream  that  deliverance  was  at 
hand.  The  child  fell  asleep  in  the  mother's  lap.  Two  of  the 
armed  men  kept  guard,  but  we  may  suppose  with  little  caution. 
What  had  they  to  apprehend,  within  sight  of  a  walled  town  in 
the  possession  of  their  friends  ?  Two  others  -  approached  the 
spring,  in  order  to  bring  water  to  the  prisoners.  Resting  their 
muskets  against  a  tree  they  proceeded  to  fill  their  canteens.  At 
this  moment  Jasper  gave  the  signal  to  his  comrade.  In  an  in 
stant  the  muskets  were  in  their  hands.  In  another,  they  had  shot 
down  the  two  soldiers  upon  duty ;  then  clubbing  their  weapons, 
they  rushed  out  upon  the  astonished  enemy,  and  felling  their  first 
opponents  each  at  a  blow,  they  succeeded  in  obtaining  possession 
of  the  loaded  muskets.  This  decided  the  conflict,  which  was  over 
in  a  few  minutes.  The  surviving  guard  yielded  themselves  to 
mercy  before  the  presented  weapons.  Such  an  achievement  could 
only  be  successful  from  its  audacity  and  the  operation  of  circum 
stances.  The  very  proximity  of  Savannah  increased  the  chances 
of  success.  But  for  this  the  guard  would  have  taken  better  pre 
cautions.  None  were  taken.  The  prompt  valor,  the  bold  decision, 


176  AN    ACT    OP    MERCY    REWARDED. 

the  cool  calculation  of  the  instant,  were  the  essential  elements 
which  secured  success.  The  work  of  our  young  heroes  was  not 
done  imperfectly.  The  prisoners  were  quickly  released,  the  arms 
of  the  captured  British  put  into  their  hands,  and,  hurrying  away 
from  the  spot  which  they  have  crowned  with  a  local  celebrity  not 
soon  to  be  forgotten,  they  crossed  the  Savannah  in  safety  with 
their  friends  and  foes." 

Soon  after  this  Jasper  lost  his  life  in  a  manner  that  has  immor 
talized  him.  After  the  celebrated  victory  achieved  by  Moultrie 
at  the  fort  which  bears  his  name,  the  citizens  of  Charleston  vied 
with  each  other  in  doing  honor  to  the  conquerors.  A  lady,  named 
Mrs.  Elliot,  presented  a  pair  of  colors  to  the  regiment,  and  in  a 
speech  that  accompanied  the  presentation  she  invoked  its  courage, 
to  defend  them  "  as  long  as  they  can  wave  in  the  air  of  liberty.'' 
Subsequently,  in  the  attack  upon  Savannah,  the  ensign  bearers, 
Lieutenants  Bush  and  Hume,  in  planting  them  on  the  British 
lines,  were  shot  down.  Lieutenant  Gay,  in  endeavoring  to  carry 
them  forward,  also  fell ;  and  Jasper  iif  seizing  one  of  the  flags,  as 
it  fell  from  Hume,  was  mortally  wounded,  but  he  succeeded  in 
bearing  it  away  in  safety. 


AN  ACT  OF  MERCY  REWARDED. 

AT  the  time  when  the  cause  of  the  patriots  looked  so  dark  in 
the  south,  and  when  the  few  whigs  who  refused  to  receive  the 
offered  protections  of  the  British  commander,  were  beginning  to 
gather  in  partizan  bands  with  the  determination  to  resist  the  foe 
unto  the  last.  Col.  Bratton  assumed  an  important  influence  in 


AN  ACT  OF  MERCY  REWARDED.          177 

furthering  the  plans  of  the  whigs,  and  gathering  them  together 
to  resist  the  enemy.  The  active  energy  he  manifested  in  the 
cause,  made  him  particularly  obnoxious  to  the  British,  who  at  last 
resolved  to  crush  him.  Captain  Huck,  with  a  command  of  four 
hundred  men,  was  dispatched  with  instructions  to  hunt  him 
down. 

Col.  Bratton  resided  near  Brattonsville,  South  Carolina,  and  his 
grounds  became  the  scene  of  a  victory,  known  in  the  history  of 
the  war,  as  Huck's  defeat.  To  this  spot,  Captain  Huck  proceeded, 
and  entered  the  house,  on  the  evening  of  the  day  which  preceded 
the  victory,  roughly  demanding  of  Mrs.  Bratton,  where  her  hus 
band  was.  She  calmly  replied  that  he  was  in  Sumter's  army. 
This  reply  enraged  the  British  officer,  but  lie  controlled  his  anger, 
while  he  endeavored  to  persuade  her  to  confess  her  knowledge  of 
his  retreat,  and  promising  that  if  she  would  induce  him  to  join 
the  royalists,  he  should  receive  a  commission  in  the  army.  The 
officer  eloquently  pictured  the  hopelessness  of  the  "  rebel"  cause, 
and  stated  truly  that  the  whigs  themselves  generally  despaired  of 
success.  But  to  these  specious  arguments,  and  tempting  promi 
ses,  the  heroic  lady  yielded  nothing,  and  declared  that  she  would 
rather  see  her  husband  perish  at  once,  in  the  cause  he  had  assu 
med  to  defend,  than  to  wear  lofty  honors  in  the  armies  of  her 
country's  enemy.  This  reply  broke  down  the  officer's  command 
of  his  temper,  and  one  of  the  soldiers,  actuated  by  that  spirit  of 
deadly  hatred,  and  unrelenting  cruelty,  that  so  pervaded  the 
breasts  of  our  country's  invaders,  seized  a  reaping  hook  near  at 
hand,  and  bringing  it  into  contact  with  her  throat,  would  in  an 
instant  have  ruthlessly  murdered  her,  had  not  the  officer  second 
in  command,  sprang  forward  and  rescued  her  from  his  hands. 

The  troops,  after  partaking  of  a  supper  in  Mrs.  Bratton's  resi- 


178  AN    ACT  OF  MEllCY   REWARDED. 

dence,  proceeded  to  another  house  at  a  short  distance,  and  en 
camped  for  the  night.  Colonel  Bratton  having  received  informa 
tion  of  their  whereabouts,  meanwhile,  was  rapidly  approaching 
their  position,  with  the  hope  of  surprising  and  defeating  them. 
His  own  command  numbered  only  fifty,  while  that  of  the  enemy 
was  four  hundred.  But  they  kept  negligent  watch,  and  the  little 
band  of  patriots  falling  suddenly  upon  them,  in  their  sleep,  a  short 
and  bloody  conflict  ensued,  which  resulted  in  the  total  defeat  and 
rout  of  the  enemy.  Captain  Huck  was  killed  in  the  contest,  and 
the  command  devolved  upon  the  second  officer,  whose  valor  and 
exertions  to  retrieve  the  disaster,  were  in  vain.  The  conflict 
had  changed  ground,  so  as  to  be  directly  around  Mrs.  Bratton's 
house,  and  when  it  was  ceased,  Mrs.  Bratton  appeared  upon  the 
ground,  administering  relief  to  the  wounded  and  dying. 

Among  the  prisoners  was  the  officer  by  whose  interposition  the 
life  of  Mrs.  Bratton  had  been  saved.  Actuated  by  a  spirit  of  re 
taliation,  for  the  many  enormities  that  had  been  inflicted  by  the 
British  on  their  whig  prisoners,  the  conquerors  expressed  a  deter 
mination  to  condemn  this  officer  to  death.  The  more  humane 
remonstrated,  but  the  majority  were  blinded  to  justice  by  a  thirst 
for  vengeance.  When  the  officer  learned  the  doom  to  which  he 
was  condemned,  he  disdained  to  plead  for  his  life,  but  requested 
to  be  conducted  to  the  presence  of  Mrs.  Bratton.  He  seemed  to 
be  one  of  finer  spirit  than  most  of  the  officers  in  the  British  army, 
in  the  southern  country.  When  brought  before  Mrs.  Bratton,  she 
instantly  recognized  him  as  the  officer  who  had  saved  her  life. 
Prompted  by  gratitude  as'well  as  mercy,  she  pleaded  with  his  cap 
tors  for  his  life.  At  first  they  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  her  interces 
sion  ;  but  when  in  a  simple  and  touching  eloquence,  she  related 
the  noble  part  he  had  taken  in  her  deliverance,  the  stern  purpose 


CAPTAIN    NATHAN    HALE.  v  179 

of  the  conquerors  relaxed,  and  he  was  spared.  He  resided  with 
her  in  mutual  friendship  until  he  was  exchanged.  This  romantic 
incident  is  well  attested. 

Another  anecdote  is  told  of  Mrs.  Bratton.  On  one  occasion  her 
husband  had  secretly  stored  a  large  quantity  of  ammunition  near 
the  house,  but  the  royalists  getting  wind  of  it,  a  party  was  de 
spatched  to  obtain  it.  Mrs.  Bratton  heard  of  their  approach,  and 
seeing  no  chance  to  preserve  the  much  valued  treasure  from  their 
conquest,  resolved  that  if  the  whigs  must  lose,  the  royalists  should 
not  gain  it.  She  therefore  laid  a  train  from  the  depot  of  the  am 
munition,  and  just  as  the  royalists  came  in  sight,  she  fired  it.  The 
explosion  that  suddenly  broke  upon  the  ears  of  the  foe,  told  them 
that  their  purpose  was  frustrated,  and  disappointed,  they  retraced 
their  steps. 


CAPTAIN  NATHAN  HALE. 

THE  impartial  reader  will  question  the  justice  of  history,  which 
has  done  so  much  for  the  memory  of  Andre,  and  left  that  of  Hale 
in  comparative  oblivion.  And  yet  we  can  discover  but  little  differ 
ence  in  their  cases.  Both  were  possessors  of  genius  and  taste, 
both  were  endowed  with  all  excellent  qualities  and  attainments, 
and  both  were  impelled  by  a  desire  to  serve  the  cause  they  res 
pectively  espoused,  and  both  suffered  a  similar  death,  but  under 
vastly  different  circumstances.  And  yet  a  magnificiently  sculp 
tured  monument  in  Westminister  Abbey,  perpetuates  the  name 
of  the  English  officer,  while  none  know  wliere  sleeps  the  ashes 
of  Hale,  and  neither  stone  nor  epitaph  tells  us  of  the  services  ren- 


180  CAPTAIN  NATHAN  HALE- 

dered  by  iiini ;  while  the  first  is  honored  in  every  quarter  where 
the  English  language  is  spoken,  the  name  of  the  latter  is  unknown 
to  many  of  his  countrymen,  "  There  is  something  more  than 
natural  in  this,  if  philosophy  could  find  it  out." 

Nathan  Hale  was  riot  twenty  years  of  age,  when  the  first 
gun  of  the  revolution  broke  upon  the  ears  of  the  colonists.  The 
patriotic  cause  at  once  aroused  his  enthusiastic  love  for  liberty  and 
justice,  and  without  pausing  for  a  moment  to  consider  the  pru 
dence  of  such  a  step,  his  ardent  nature  prompted  him  at  once,  to 
throw  himself  into  the  ranks  of  his  country's  defenders.  Distin 
guished  as  a  scholar,  and  respected,  by  all  who  knew  him,  for  his 
brilliant  talents,  he  was  at  once  tendered  a  captain's  commission 
in  the  light  infantry.  He  served  in  the  regiment  commanded  by 
Col.  Knowlton,  and  was  with  the  army  in  its  retreat  after  the  dis 
astrous  battle  of  Long  Island. 

After  the  army  had  retreated  from  New  York,  and  while  it  was 
posted  on  the  heights  at  Harlem,  the  commander-in-chief  earn 
estly  desired  to  be  made  acquainted  with  the  force  and  contem 
plated  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  for  this  purpose,  applied  to 
Col.  Knowlton  to  select  some  individual  capable  of  performing  the 
hazardous  and  delicate  service.  Knowlton  applied  to  Hale,  who. 
on  becoming  acquainted  with  the  wishes  of  Washington,  immedi 
ately  volunteered  his  services.  He  stated,  that  his  object  in  join 
ing  the  army,  was  not  merely  for  fame,  but  to  serve  the  country  ; 
that  as  yet,  no  opportunity  had  offered  for  him  to  render  any  sig 
nal  aid  to  her  cause,  and  when  a  duty  so  imperative  and  so  impor 
tant  as  this  was  demanded  of  him,  he  was  ready  to  sacrifice  not 
only  life,  but  all  hope  of  glory,  and  to  suffer  the  ignomy  which  its 
failure  would  cast  upon  hi*  nain*.  His  friends  endeavored  to  dis- 


CAPTAIN   NATHAN  HALE.  Ifil 

suade  him  from  the  undertaking,  but  lofty  considerations  of  duty 
impelled  him  to  the  step. 

Having  disguised  himself  as  a  schoolmaster,  he  crossed  the 
sound  at  Fairfield,  to  Huntingdon,  and  proceeded  thence  to 
Brooklyn.  This  was  in  September,  1776.  When  he  arrived  at 
Brooklyn,  the  enemy  had  already  taken  possession  of  New  York. 
He  crossed  over  to  the  city,  his  disguise  unsuspected,  and  pursued 
the  objects  of  his  mission.  He  examined  all  their  fortifications 
with  care,  and  obtained  every  possible  information  relative  to  the 
number  of  the  enemy,  their  intentions,  <fec.  Having  accomplished 
all  that  he  could,  he  left  the  city,  and  retraced  his  steps  to  Hun- 
tington.  While  here,  Availing  for  a  boat  to  convey  him  across  th» 
sound,  his  apprehension  was  effected.  There  are  great  discrepancies 
in  the  various  accounts  which  are  given  of  his  arrest,  but  all  agree 
tli at  it  was  through  the  means  of  a  refugee  cousin,  who  detected 
his  disguise.  According  to  one  account,  while  he  was  at  Hun 
tingdon,  a  boat  came  to  the  shore,  which  he  at  first  supposed  to 
be  one  from  Connecticut,  but  which  proved  to  be  from  an  English 
vessel  lying  in  the  sound.  He  incautiously  approached  the  boat 
and  was  recognised  by  his  tory  relative,  who  was  in  the  boat  at  the 
time.  He  was  arrested,  and  sent  to  New  York. 

There  cannot  be  a  more  striking  proof  of  the  different  value  set 
upon  the  services  of  Andre  and  Hale  by  their  respective  nation  s^ 
than  the  fact  afforded  by  the  different  manner  of  their  arrest. 
There  was  not  a  single  circumstance  connected  with  the  capture 
of  Andre,  but  what  is  known  to  every  reader  of  history,  but  in  the 
case  of  Hale,  who  stands  Andre's  equal  in  every  particular,  it  is  not 
even  known  with  certainty  how  he  was  apprehended.  We  have 
a  few  uncertain  legends  relative  to  it,  but  these  are  widely  different 
some  making  him  arrested  on  the  sound,  some  on  the  island,  and 


182  CAPTAIN  NATHAN   HALR. 

others  on  the  outskirts  of  the  city.  But  there  was  one  circum 
stance  connected  with  Hale's  capture,  which  should  enhance  our 
sympathy  for  him.  Andre  fell  into  the  American  hands  by  means 
of  the  sagacity,  watchfulness,  and  fidelity  of  our  own  soldiers ;  but 
Hale  was  betrayed  by  the  base  perfidy  and  treason  of  a  renegade 
relative.  And  what  two  opposite  phases  of  human  nature  does 
the  contrast  between  these  two  incidents  aftbrd !  In  the  first,  we 
find  three  men,  three  poor  men,  so  fixed  in  principle  and  deter 
mined  in  right,  that  the  most  tempting  offers — offers  when  an  as 
sent  would  have  given  them  wealth,  ease,  and  luxury — were 
refused.  Strong  honesty  overcame  temptation,  and  they  were 
content  to  struggle  on  in  poverty,  oblivion,  and  privation,  with  un 
sullied  hearts,  rather  than  feast  and  riot  in  luxury.  But  in  the 
latter  incident,  we  find  one  of  the  most  execrable  acts  recorded  in 
history.  The  betrayal  of  Hale  by  his  relative,  contrasted  with  the 
stern  integrity  of  Andre's,  captures,  affords  a  most  striking  picture 
between  virtue  and  vice,  between  lofty  honor,  and  degraded  base 
ness. 

We  are  all  aware  of  what  followed  the  capture  of  Andre.  He 
was  tried  before  an  honorable  court,  and  while  strict  justice  de 
manded  his  life,  the  necessity  was  deplored  by  his  judges,  and  his 
fate  aroused  in  every  heart  the  keenest  sympathy  and  the  deepest 
sorrow.  But  how  widely  different  was  the  unhappy  end  of  the 
noble  Hale  !  He  was  surrendered  to  the  incarnate  fiend,  Cun 
ningham,  the  provost-marshal,  and  ordered  to  immediate  execu 
tion,  without  even  the  formality  of  a  trial.  On  the  twenty -first  of 
September,  1776,  he  was  dragged  to  the  spot  designed  for  the 
purpose,  and  there  accompanied  by  only  a  few  privates,  his  sen 
tence  was  brutally  executed.  His  manner  was  undaunted,  and 
his  soul  never  flinched  in  the  moment  of  trial.  Previous  to  the 


CAPTAIN  NATHAN  HALE.  183 

execution,  he  had,  by  permission,  addressed  a  few  lines  to  his  family, 
but  these,  after  his  death,  were  destroyed  by  Cunningham,  and 
the  reason  assigned  for  this  was,  "  that  the  rebels  should  never 
know  they  had  a  man  in  their  army,  who  could  die  with  such 
firmness."  The  use  of  a  bible,  and  the  attendance  of  a  minister 
were  denied  him  ;  and  thus  surrounded  by  mocking  lips  and  un- 
pi tying  hearts,  his  noble  soul  took  flight. 

It  must  be  remembered,  in  measuring  the  character  of  Hale,  that 
it  was  not  hope  of  promotion,  nor  promise  of  pecuniary  reward, 
that  induced  him  to  take  the  step  he  did.  Nothing  but  an  earn 
est  wish  to  serve  his  country,  impelled  him  to  the  course,  and  this 
circumstance  removes  every  stigma  that  would  otherwise  hang 
upon  him  as  a  spy,  and  elevates  him  to  the  rank  of  a  martyr. 

It  is  absurd  to  argue,  that  there  is  any  difference  between  the  cases 
of  Andre  and  Hale.  Both  were  apprehended  within  the  enemy's, 
lines,  disguised  in  assumed  characters,  and  this  made  them  amenable 
to  the  stern  construction  of  military  law.  There  is  not  a  shadow 
of  reason  for  elevating  the  character  of  Andre  above  that  of  Hale. 
Indeed,  when  we  remember  the  last  words  of  each,  the  American 
officer  appears  as  the  grandest  hero  of  the  two.  "  Bear  witness," 
said  Andre,  "  that  I  die  like  a  brave  man."  His  last  thoughts  were 
selfish,  and  he  wished  only  for  the  preservation  of  his  own  un 
stained  honor.  But  the  thoughts  of  Hale  were  upon  his  native 
land,  "he  only  lamented  that  he  had  but  one  life  to  lose  for  his 
coun  try" 

Several  efforts  have  been  made,  at  different  times,  to  erect  a 
monument  to  Hale.  But  it  has  not  yet  been  done.  In  1835,  con 
gress  voted  a  thousand  dollars  towards  this  object,  but  no  action  has 
since  been  taken  upon  it.  It  is  a  trite  and  often  quoted  saying, 


184  CAPTURE  OF  CAPTAIN  HARPER. 

"  that  republics  are  ungrateful."     Is  not  this  history  a  shameful 
evidence  of  its  truth  ? 

The  late  Dr.  Dwight  penned  the  following  tribute  to  the  memo 
ry  of  Hale : — 

"  Thus,  while  fond  virtue  wished  in  vain  to  save, 
Hale,  bright  and  generous,  found  a  hapless  grave  ; 
While  Genius'1  living  flame  his  bosom  glow'd, 
And  science  charmed  him  to  her  sweet  abode  ; 
In  worth's  fair  path,  adventured  far, 
The  pride  of  peace,  and  rising  grace  of  war." 


CAPTURE  OF  CAPTAIN  HARPER. 

IN  the  montu  of  April  in  1780  it  was  the  intention  of  Captain 
Brant,  the  Indian  chieftain,  to  make  a  descent  upon  the  upper  fort 
of  Schoharie,  but  which  was  prevented  by  an  unlocked  for  cir 
cumstance.  Col.  Vrooman  had  sent  out  a  party  of  scouts  to  pass 
over  to  the  head  waters  of  the  Charlotte  river,  where  resided  cer 
tain  suspected  persons,  whose  movements  it  was  their  duty  to 
watch.  "  It  being  the  proper  season  for  the  manufacture  of  maple 
sugar,  the  men  were  directed  to  make  a  quantity  of  that  article, 
of  which  the  garrison  were  greatly  in  want.  On  the  2d  of  April 
this  party,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Harper,  commenced  their 
labors,  which  they  did  cheerfully,  and  entirely  unapprehensive  of 
danger,  as  a  fall  of  snow,  some  three  feet  deep,  would  prevent, 
they  supposed,  the  moving  of  any  considerable  body  of  the  enemy, 
while  in  fact  they  were  not  aware  of  any  body  of  the  armed  foe 
short  of  Niagara.  But  on  the  7th  of  April  they  were  suddenly 
surrounded  by  a  party  of  about  forty  Indians  and  Tories,  the  first 
knowledge  of  whose  presence  was  the  death  of  three  of  their  party. 


CAPTURE  OF  CAPTAIN  HARPER.          185 

The  leader  was  instantly  discovered  in  the  person  of  the  Mohawk 
chief,  who  rushed  up  to  Gapt.  Harper,  tomahawk  in  hand,  and 
observed  ;  '  Harper,  I  am  sorry  to  find  you  here  !' 

" '  Why  are  you  sorry  Captain  Brant  ?'  replied  the  other. 

i; 'Because' replied* the  chief,  'I  must  kill  you,  although  we 
were  schoolmates  in  our  youth*' — at  the  same  time  raising  his 
hatchet,  and  suiting  the  action  to  the  word.  Suddenly  his  arm 
fell,  and  with  a  piercing  scrutiny,  looking  Harper  full  in  the  face, 
he  inquired — '  Are  there  any  regular  troops  in  the  fort  in  Scho- 
harie  ?'  Harper  caught  the  idea  in  an  instant.  To  answer  truly, 
and  admit  there  were  none,  as  was  the  fact,  would  but  hasten 
Brant  and  his  warriors  forward  to  fall  upon  the  settlements  at 
once,  and  their  destruction  would  have  been  swift  and  sure.  He 
therefore  informed  him  that  a  reinforcement  of  three  hundred 
Continental  troops  had  arrived  to  garrison  the  forts  only  two  or 
three  days  before.  This  information  appeared  very  much  to  dis 
concert  the  chieftain.  He  prevented  the  farther  shedding  of 
blood,  and  held  a  consultation  with  his  subordinate  chiefs.  Night 
coming  on,  the  prisoners  were  shut  up  in  a  pen  of  logs,  and 
guarded  by  the  Tories,  while  among  the  Indians  controversy  ran 
high  whether  the  prisoners  should  be  put  to  death  or  carried  to 
Niagara.  The  captives  were  bound  hand  and  foot,  and  were  so 
near  the  council  that  Harper,  who  understood  something  of  the 
Indian  tongue,  could  hear  the  dispute.  The  Indians  were  for 
putting  them  to  death,  but  Brant  exercised  his  authority  to  effec 
tually  prevent  the  massacre. 

''  On  the  following  morning  Harper  was  brought  before  the 
Indians  for  examination.  The  chief  commenced  by  saying  that 

•  Brant  received  an  English  education. 


186  CAPTURE  OF    CAPTAIN    HARPER. 

he  was  suspicious  he  had  not  told  him  the  truth.  Harper,  how 
ever,  although  Brant  was  eyeing  him  like  a  basilisk,  repeated  his 
former  statements,  without  the  improper  movement  of  a  muscle, 
or  any  betrayal  that  he  was  deceiving.  Brant  satisfied  of  the 
truth  of  the  story,  resolved  to  retrace  his  steps  to  Niagara.  But 
his  warriors  were  disappointed  in  their  hopes  of  spoils  and  victory, 
and  it  was  only  with  the  greatest  difficulty  that  they  were  pre 
vented  from  putting  the  captives  to  death. 

"Their  march  was  forthwith  commenced,  and  was  full  of  pain, 
peril,  and  adventure.  They  met  on  the  succeeding  day  with  two 
loyalists  who  both  disproved  Harper's  story  of  troops  being  at 
Schoharie,  and  the  Captain  was  again  subjected  to  a  piercing 
scrutiny ;  but  he  succeeded  so  well  in  maintaining  the  appearance 
of  truth  and  sincerity  as  to  arrest  the  upraised  and  glittering  to 
mahawk.  On  the  same  day  an  aged  man,  named  Brown,  was 
accidentally  fallen  in  with  and  taken  prisoner,  with  two  youthful 
grandsons  ;  the  day  following  being  unable  to  travel  with  suffici 
ent  speed,  and  sinking  under  the  weight  of  the  burden  imposed 
upon  him,  the  old  man  was  put  out  of  the  way  with  the  hatchet. 
The  victim  was  dragging  behind,  and  when  he  saw  preparations 
making  for  his  doom,  took  an  affectionate  farewell  of  his  little 
grandsons,  and  the  Indians  moved  on,  leaving  one  of  their  num 
ber,  with  his  face  painted  black — the  mark  of  the  executioner — 
behind  with  him.  In  a  few  moments  afterward,  the  Indian  came 
up,  with  the  old  man's  scalp  dangling  from  between  the  ramrod 
and  the  muzzle  of  his  gun. 

"  They  constructed  floats,  and  sailed  down  the  Susquehana  to 
the  confluence  of  the  Chemung,  at  which  place  their  land-travel 
ling  commenced.  Soon  after  this,  a  severe  trial  and  narrow  es 
cape  befel  the  prisoners.  During  his  march  from  Niagara  on  tins 


CAPTURE   OF  CAPTAIN   HARPER.  187 

expedition,  Brant  had  detached  eleven  of  his  warriors,  to  fall  once 
more  upon  the  Minisink  settlement,  for  prisoners.  This  detach 
ment,  as  it  subsequently  appeared,  had  succeeded  in  taking  cap 
tive  five  athletic  men,  whom  they  secured  and  brought  with  them 
as  far  as  Tioga  Point.  The  Indians  slept  very  soundly,  and  the 
five  prisoners  had  resolved,  on  the  first  opportunity,  to  make  their 
escape.  While  encamped  at  this  place  during  the  night,  one  of 
die  Minisink  men  succeeded  in  txtricating  his  hands  from  the 
binding  cords,  and  with  the  utmost  caution,  unloosed  his  four 
companions.  The  Indians  were  locked  in  the  arms  of  deep  sleep 
around  them.  Silently,  without  causing  a  leaf  to  rustle,  they 
each  snatched  a  tomahawk  from  the  girdles  of  their  unconscious 
enemies,  and  in  a,  moment  nine  of  them  were  quivering  in  the 
agonies  of  death.  The  two  others  were  awakened,  and  springing 
upon  their  feet,  attempted  to  escape.  One  of  them  was  struck 
with  a  hatchet  between  the  shoulders,  but  the  other  fled.  The 
prisoners  immediately  made  good  their  own  retreat,  aud  the  only 
Indian  who  escaped  unhurt,  returned  to  take  care  of  his  wounded 
companion.  As  Brant  and  his  warriors  approached  this  point  of 
their  journey,  some  of  his  Indians  having  raised  a  whoop,  it  was 
returned  by  a  single  voice,  with  the  death  yell !  Startled  at  this 
unexpected  signal,  Brant's  warriors  rushed  forward  to  ascertain 
the  cause.  But  they  were  not  long  in  doubt.  The  lone  warrior 
met  them,  and  soon  related  to  his  brethren  the  melancholy  fate 
of  his  companions.  The  effect  upon  the  warriors,  who  gathered 
lira  group  to  hear  the  recital,  was  unexpressibly  fearful.  Rage, 
and  a  desire  of  revenge,  seemed  to  kindle  every  bosom,  and  light 
every  eye  as  with  burning  coals.  They  gathered  around  the  pri 
soners  in  a  circle,  and  began  to  make  unequivocal  preparations 
for  hacking  them  to  pieces.  Harper  and  his  men,  of  course  gave 


188  CAPTURE  OF  CAPTAIN   HARPER. 

themselves  up  for  lost.  While  their  knives  were  unsheathing,  and 
their  hatchets  glittering,  as  they  were  flourished  in  the  sunbeams, 
the  only  survivor  of  the  murdered  party  rushed  into  the  circle  and 
interposed  in  their  favor.  With  a  wave  of  the  hand,  as  of  a  war 
rior  entitled  to  be  heard — for  he  was  himself,  a  chief — silence  was 
restored,  and  the  prisoners  were  surprised  by  the  utterance  of  an 
earnest  appeal  in  their  behalf.  He  eloquently  and  impressively 
declaimed  in  their  favor,  upon  the  ground  that  it  was  not  they 
who  murdered  their  brothers ;  and  to  take  the  lives  of  the  inno 
cent,  would  not  be  right  in  the  eyes  of  the  Great  Spirit.  His  ap 
peal  was  effective.  The  passions  of  the  incensed  warriors  were 
hushed,  their  eyes  no  longer  shot  forth  the  burning  glances  of  re 
venge,  and  their  gesticulations  ceased  to  menace  immediate  and 
bloody  vengeance, 

"True,  it  so  happened,  that  this  chief  knew  all  the  prisoners — 
lie  having  resided  in  the  Schoharie  canton  of  the  Mohawks,  du 
ring  the  war.  He  doubtless  felt  a  deeper  interest  in  their  behalf 
on  that  account.  Still,  it  was  a  noble  action,  worthy  of  the  proud 
est  era  of  chivalry,  and  in  the  balmy  days  of  Greece  and  Rome, 
would  have  crowned  him  almost  with  *  an  apotheosis  and  rights  di 
vine.'  The  interposition  of  Pochohantas,  in  favor  of  Captain  Smith, 
before  the  rude  court  of  Powhaltan,  was,  perhaps,  more  romantic ; 
but  when  the  motive  which  prompted  the  generous  action  of  the 
princess,  is  considered,  the  transaction  now  under  re-view,  exhibits 
the  most  of  genuine  benevolence.  Pochohantas  was  moved  by 
the  tender  passion — the  Mohawk  Sachem,  by  the  feelings  of  mag 
nanimity,  and  the  eternal  principles  of  justice.  It  is  a  matter  of 
regret,  that  the  name  of  this  high  souled  warrior  is  lost,  as,  alas ! 
have  been  too  many  that  might  serve  to  relieve  the  dark  and 
vengeful  portraiture  of  Indian  character,  which  it  has  so  well 


CAPTURi:   OF  CAPTAIN   HARPER.  189 

pleased  the  white  man  to  draw  !  The  prisoners  themselves  were 
so  impressed  with  the  manner  of  their  signal  deliverance,  that  they 
justly  attributed  it  to  a  direct  interposition  of  Providence."* 

After  the  most  acute  sufferings  from  hunger  and  exhaustion 
the  party  at  last  arrived  at  Niagara,  The  last  night  of  their  jour 
ney,  they  encamped  a  short  distance  from  the  fort.  In  the  morn 
ing  the  prisoners  were  informed  that  they  were  to  run  the  gaunt 
let,  and  were  brought  out,  where  two  parallel  lines  of  Indians  were 
drawn  out,  between  which  the  prisoners  were  to  pass,  exposed  to 
the  whips  and  blows  of  the  savages.  The  course  to  be  ran,  was 
towards  the  fort.  Harper  was  the  first  one  selected,  and  at  the 
signal,  sprang  from  the  mark  with  extraordinary  swiftness.  An 
Indian  near  the  end  of  the  line,  fearing  he  might  escape  without 
injury,  sprang  before  him,  but  a  blow  from  Harper's  fist  felled 
him  ;  the  Indians  enraged,  broke  their  ranks  and  rushed  after 
him,  as  he  fled  with  the  utmost  speed  towards  the  fort  The  gar 
rison,  when  they  saw  Harper  approaching,  opened  the  gates,  and 
he  rushed  in,  only  affording  sufneient  tuae  for  the  garrison  to  close 
the  gates,  ere  the  Indians  rushed  upon  it,  clamoring  for  the  posses 
sion  of  their  victim.  The  other  prisoners  taking  advantage  of  the 
breaking  up  of  the  Indian  ranks,  took  different  routes,  and  all 
succeeded  in  reaching  the  fort  without  passing  through  the  terrible 
ordeal,  which  was  intended  for  them. 

•  Stone's  Life  of  Brant. 


190  A    DESPERATE    ENCOUNTER. 


A  DESPERATE    ENCOUNTER. 

"  COL.  ALLEN  Me  LANE,  who  died  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  in 
1829,  at  the  patriarchial  age  of  83,  \vas  distinguished  for  his  per 
sonal  courage,  and  for  his  activity  as  a  partisan  officer.  He  was 
long  attached  to  Major  Lee's  famous  legion  of  horse.  While  the 
British  occupied  Philadelphia,  Me  Lane  was  constantly  scouring 
the  upper  end  of  Bucks  and  Montgomery  counties,  to  cut  off  the 
scouting  parties  of  the  enemy,  and  intercept  their  supplies  of  pro 
visions.  Having  agreed  for  some  purpose,  to  rendesvouz  near 
Shoemakertown,  Col.  Me  Lane  ordered  his  little  band  of  troopers 
to  follow  at  some  distance,  and  commanded  two  of  them  to  pre 
cede  the  main  body,  but  also  to  keep  in  his  rear  ;  and  if  they  dis 
covered  an  enemy,  to  ride  up  to  his  side  and  inform  him  of  it, 
without  speaking  aloud.  While  leisurely  approaching  the  place 
of  reudesvouz  in  this  order,  in  the  early  gray  of  the  morning,  the 
two  men  directly  in  the  rear,  forgetting  their  orders,  suddenly 
called  out,  "  Colonel,  the  British  !'  faced  about,  and  putting  spurs 
to  their  horses,  were  soon  out  of  sight.  The  colonel  looking 
around,  discovered  that  he  was  in  the  centre  of  a  powerful  am 
buscade,  into  which  the  enemy  had  silently  allowed  him  to  pass, 
without  his  observing  them.  They  lined  both  sides  of  the  road, 
and  had  been  stationed  there  to  pick  up  any  straggling  party  of 
the  Americans  that  might  chance  to  pass.  Immediately  on  find 
ing  they  were  discovered,  a  file  of  soldiers  rose  from  the  side  of  the 
highway,  and  fired  at  the  colonel,  but  without  efteet ;  and  as  he 
put  spurs  to  his  horse,  and  mounted  the  road-side  into  the  woods, 
the  other  part  of  the  detachment  also  fired.  The  colonel  miracu- 
ously  escaped ;  but  a  shot  striking  his  horse  upon  the  flank,  he 


A    DESPERATE  ENCOUNTER.  191 

dashed  through  the  woods,  and  in  a  few  minutes  reached  a  paral 
lel  road  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  forest.  Being  familiar  with 
the  country,  he  feared  to  turn  to  the  left,  as  that  course  led  to  the 
city,  and  he  might  be  intercepted  by  another  ambuscade.  Turning 
therefore,  to  the  right,  his  frightened  horse  carried  him  swiftly  be 
yond  the  reach  of  those  who  had  fired  upon  him.  All  at  once, 
however,  on  emerging  from  a  piece  of  woods,  he  observed  several 
British  troops  stationed  near  the  road-side,  and  directly  in  sight 
ahead,  a  farm  house,  around  which  he  observed  a  whole  troop  of 
the  enemy's  cavalry  drawn  up.  He  dashed  by  the  troops  near 
him  without  being  molested,  they  believing  he  was  on  his  way 
to  the  main  body  to  surrender  himself.  The  farm-house  was  situ 
ated  at  the  intersection  of  two  roads,  presenting  but  two  avenues 
by  which  he  could  escape.  Nothing  daunted  by  the  formidable 
array  before  him,  he  galloped  up  to  the  cross  roads,  on  reaching 
which,  he  spurred  his  active  horse,  turned  suddenly  to  the  right, 
and  was  soon  fairly  out  of  reach  of  their  pistols,  though  as  he 
turned,  he  heard  them  call  loudly  to  surrender  or  die  !  A  dozen 
were  instantly  in  pursuit ;  but  in  a  short  time  they  all  gave  up 
the  chase  except  two.  Col.  Me  Lane's  horse,  scared  by  the  first 
wound  he  had  ever  received,  and  being  a  chosen  animal,  kept 
ahead  for  several  miles,  while  his  two  pursuers  followed  with  un 
wearied  eagerness.  The  pursuit  at  length  waxed  so  hot,  that,  as 
the  colonel's  horse  stepped  out  of  a  small  brook  which  crossed  the 
road,  his  pursuers  entered  it  at  the  opposite  margin.  In  ascend 
ing  a  little  hill,  the  horses  of  the  three  were  greatly  exhausted,  so 
much  so,  that  neither  could  be  urged  faster  than  a  walk.  Occa 
sionally,  as  one  of  the  troopers  pursued  on,  a  little  in  advance  of 
his  companion,  the  colonel  slackened  his  pace,  anxious  to  be  at 
tacked  by  one  of  the  two ;  but  no  sooner  was  his  willingness  dis- 


192  A  DESPERATE   ENCOUNTER. 

covered,  than  the  other  fell  back  to  his  station.     They  at  length 
approached  so  near,  that  a  conversation  took  place  between  them  ; 

the  troopers  calling  out,   '  surrender  you   d d  rebel,  or  we'll 

cut  you  in  pieces.'  Suddenly  one  of  them  rode  up  on  the  right 
side  of  the  colonel,  and,  without  drawing  his  sword,  laid  hold  of 
the  colonel's  collar.  The  latter,  to  use  his  own  words,  "  had  pis 
tols  which  he  knew  he  could  depend  on.'  Drawing  one  from  the 
holster,  he  placed  it  to  the  heart  of  his  antagonist,  fired,  and  tum 
bled  him  dead  on  the  ground.  Instantly  the  other  came  upon  his 
left,  with  his  sword  drawn,  and  also  seized  the  colonel  by  the  col 
lar  of  his  coat.  A  fierce  and  deadly  struggle  here  ensued,  in  the 
course  of  which  Col.  Me  Lane  was  desperately  wounded  in  the 
back  of  his  left  hand,  the  sword  of  his  antagonist  cutting  asun 
der  the  veins  and  tendons  of  that  member.  Seeing  a  favorable 
opportunity,  he  drew  his  other  pistol,  and  with  a  steadiness  of 
purpose,  which  appeared  even  in  his  recital  of  the  incident,  placed 
it  directly  between  the  eyes  of  his  adversary,  pulled  the  trigger. 
and  scattered  his  brains  on  every  side  of  the  road  !  Fearing  that 
others  were  in  pursuit ,  he  abandoned  his  horse  in  the  highway ; 
and  apprehensive,  from  his  extreme  weakness,  that  he  might  die 
from  loss  of  blood,  he  crawled  into  an  adjacent  mill-pond,  entirely 
naked,  and  at  length  succeeded  in  stopping  the  profuse  flow  of 
blood  occasioned  by  his  wound." 


ANECDOTES    OF    COL.  HORRY.  193 

ANECDOTES  OF  COL.  HORRY. 

COL.  HORRY  served  under  General  Marion.  His  adventures 
were  numerous,  and  some  of  them  very  amusing.  He  has  left  a 
MS.  Memoir  from  which  Mr.  Simms  draws  the  particulars  of  seve 
ral  of  his  exploits.  From  Mr.  Simms  we  quote  :* 

"  He  was  brave,  and  ambitious  of  distinction.  This  ambition 
led  him  to  desire  a  command  of  cavalry  rather  than  of  infantry. 
But  he  was  no  rider — was  several  times  unhorsed  in  combat,  and 
was  indebted  to  the  fidelity  of  his  soldiers  for  his  safety.  On 
one  occasion  his  escape  was  more  narrow  from  a  different  cause. 
Crossing  the  swamp  at  Lynch's  Creek,  to  join  Marion,  in  the  dark, 
and  the  swamp,  swimming,  he  encountered  the  bough  of  a  tree, 
to  which  he  clung,  while  his  horse  passed  from  under  him.  He 
was  no  swimmer,  and  but  for  timely  assistance  from  his  followers, 
would  have  been  drowned.  Another  story  is  told  of  him  which 
places  him  in  a  scarcely  less  ludicrous  attitude.  He  was  ordered 
by  Marion  to  wait,  in  ambush,  the  approach  of  a  British  detach 
ment.  The  duty  was  executed  with  skill ;  the  enemy  was  com 
pletely  in  his  power.  But  he  labored  under  an  impediment  in 
his  speech,  which,  we  may  readily  suppose,  was  greatly  increased 
by  anxiety  and  excitement.  The  word  '  fire'  stuck  in  his  throat, 
as  'Amen'  did  in  that  of  Macbeth.  The  emergency  was  press 
ing,  but  this  only  increased  the  difficulty.  In  vain  did  he  make 
the  attempt.  He  could  say  '  fi-fi — fi !'  but  he  could  get  no  fur 
ther — the  *  or'  was  incorrigible.  At  length,  irritated  almost  to 
madness,  he  exclaimed,  '  shoot,  d — n  you,  shoot  /  you  know  what 
I  would  say !  Shoot,  and  be  d d  to  you !' 

*  Life  of  Marion,  by  W.  Gilmore  Simme. 


194  ANECDOTES    OF    COL.  IIORRY. 

"  He  was  present,  and  acted  bravely,  in  almost  every  affair  of 
consequence,  in  the  brigade  of  Marion.  At  Quimly,  Capt.  Baxter, 
a  man  distinguished  by  his  great  strength  and  courage,  as  well 
as  size,  and  by  equally  great  simplicity  of  character,  cried  out, 
*  I  am  wounded,  colonel !'  *  Think  no  more  of  it,  Baxter,'  was 
the  answer  of  Horry,  '  but  stand  to  your  post.'  '  But  I  can't 
stand' says  Baxter,  'I  am  wounded  a  second  time.'  '  Lie  down 
then,  Baxter, but  quit  not  your  post.'  'They  have  shot  me  again 
colonel,'  said  the  wounded  man,  '  and  if  I  stay  any  longer  here, 
I  shall  be  shot  to  pieces.'  *  Be  it  so,  Baxter,  but  stir  not,'  was 
the  order,  which  the  brave  fellow  obeyed,  receiving  a  fourth  wound 
before  the  engagement  was  over." 

Another  adventure  is  thus  related  by  Horry  himself.  "  I  was 
sent"  he  writes,  "  by  Gen.  Marion  to  reconnoitre  Georgetown.  I 
proceeded  with  a  guide  through  the  woods  all  night.  At  the 
dawn  of  day,  I  drew  near  the  town.  I  laid  an  ambuscade,  with 
thirty  men  and  three  officers,  near  the  road.  About  sunrise  a 
chair  appeared  with  two  ladies  escorted  by  two  British  officers. 
I  was  ready  in  advance  with  an  officer  to  cut  them  off,  but  reflect 
ing  that  they  might  escape,  and  alarm  the  town,  which  would 
prevent  my  taking  greater  numbers,  I  desisted.  The  officers  and 
chair  halted  very  near  me,  but  soon  the  chair  went  on,  and  the 
officers  gallopped  in  retrogade  into  the  town.  •  Our  party  con 
tinued  in  ambush,  until  10  o'clock  A.  M. 

"Nothing  appearing,  and  men  and  horses  having  eaten  nothing 
for  thirty-six  hours,  we  were  hungered,  and  retired  to  a  plantation 
of  my  quarter-master's,  a  Mr.  White,  not  far  distant.  There  a 
curious  scene  took  place.  As  soon  as  I  entered  the  house  .  .  .  , 
four  ladies  appeared,  two  of  whom  where  Mrs.  White  and  her 
daughter.  I  was  asked  what  I  wanted.  I  answered,  food,  re 


ANECDOTES    OB"    COL.   HORkY.  195 

freshmen  t.  The  other  two  ladies  were  those  whom  I  had  seen 
escorted  by  the  British  officers.  They  seemed  greatly  agitated, 
and  begged  most  earnestly  that  I  would  go  away,  for  the  family 
was  very  poor,  had  no  provisions  of  any  sort, — that  I  knew  that 
they  were  Whigs,  and  surely  would  not  add  to  their  distress.  So 
pressing  were  they  for  my  immediately  leaving  the  plantation, 
that  I  thought  they  had  more  in  view  than  they  pretended.  I 
kept  my  eye  on  Mrs.  White,  and  saw  she  had  a  smiling  counte 
nance,  but  said  nothing.  Soon  she  left  the  room,  and  I  left  it 
also  and  went  into  the  piazza,  laid  my  cap,  sword  and  pistols  on 
the  long  bench,  and  walked  the  piazza  ; — when  I  discovered  Mrs. 
White  behind  the  house  chimney  beckoning  me.  I  got  to  her 
undiscovered  by  the  young  ladies,  when  she  said :  *  Colonel  Horry, 
be  on  your  guard  ;  these  two  young  ladies,  Miss  F —  and  M — , 
are  just  from  Georgetown  ;  they  are  much  frightened,  and  I  be 
lieve  the  British  are  leaving  it  and  may  soon  attack  you.  As  to 
provisions,  which  they  make  such  a  rout  about,  I  have  plenty  for 
your  men  and  horses  in  yonder  barn,  but  you  must  affect  to  take 
them  by  force.  Hams,  bacon,  rice,  and  fodder,  are  there.  You 
must  insist  on  the  key  of  the  barn,  and  threaten  to  split  the  door 
with  an  axe  if  not  immediately  opened.'  I  begged  her  to  say  no 
more,  for  I  was  well  acquainted  with  all  such  matters — to  leave 
the  ladies  and  everything  else  to  my  management.  She  said 
'  Yes  ;  but  do  not  ruin  us  :  be  artful  and  cunning,  or  Mr.  White 
may  be  hanged  and  all  our  houses  burnt  over  our  heads.'  We 
both  secretly  returned,  she  to  the  room  where  the  young  ladies 
were,  and  I  to  the  piazza  I  had  just  left."  "  This  little  narrative 
will  give  some  idea  of  the  straits  to  which  the  good  whig  matrons 
of  Carolina  were  sometimes  reduced  in  those  days.  But  no  time 
was  allowed  Horry  to  extort  the  provisions  as  suggested.  He  had 


196  ANECDOTES    OF    COL,  HORRY. 

scarcely  got  to  the  piazza  when  his  viclettes  gave  the  alarm.  Two 
shots  warned  him  of  the  approach  of  the  foe,  and  forgetting  that 
his  cap,  sabre  and  pistols,  lay  on  the  long  bench  on  the  piazza, 
Horry  mounted  his  horse,  left  the  enclosure,  and  rushed  into  the 
melee.  The  British  were  seventeen  in  number,  well  mounted,  and 
commanded  by  a  brave  "fellow  named  Merritt.  The  dragoons, 
taken  by  surprise,  turned  in  flight,  and,  smiting  at  every  step,  the 
partisans  pursued  them  with  fatal  earnestness.  But  two  men  are 
reported  to  have  escaped  death  or  captivity,  and  they  were  their 
captain  and  a  sergeant.  It  was  in  approaching  to  encounter 
Merritt  that  Horry  discovered  that  he  was  weaponless.  '  My  offi 
cers,'  says  he,  4  in  succession,  came  up  with  Captain  Merritt,  who 
was  in  the  rear  of  his  party,  urging  them  forward.  They  engaged 
him.  He  was  a  brave  fellow.  Baxter,  with  pistols,  fired  at  his 
breast,  and  missing  him,  retired ;  Postelle  and  Greene,  with 
swords,  engaged  him  ;  both  Avere  beaten  off.  Greene  nearly  lost 
his  head.  His  buckskin  breeches  were  cut  through  several 
inches  ....  I  almost  blush  to  say  that  this  one  British  officer 
beat  off  three  Americans."  The  honor  of  the  day  was  decidedly 
with  Merritt,  though  he  was  beaten.  He  was  no  doubt  a  far  bet 
ter  swordsman  than  our  self-taught  cavalry,  with  broadswords 
wrought  out  of  mill  saws.  Merritt  abandoned  his  horse,  and  es 
caped  to  a  neighboring  swamp,  from  whence,  at  midnight,  he 
got  into  Georgetown.* 


*  Weems  speaking  for  Horry,  tells  us  that  he  met  with  Captain  Merritl 
nfter  the  war  in  New  York,  who  recognized  him,  and  told  him  that  he  had 
never  had  such  a  fright  in  all  his  life  as  upon  that  occasion.  "  Will  you  be 
lieve  me,  sir,"  said  he,  "  when  I  assure  you  that  I  went  out  that  morning 
with  my  locks  of  as  bright  an  auburn  as  ever  curled  upon  the  forehead  of 
youth,  and  by  the  timo  I  had  crawled  out  of  the  swamp  into  Georgetown 
that  night,  they  were  as  gray  as  a  badger  !" 


A  HIGH-SPIRITED     FAMILY.  197 

In  one  of  his  numerous  encounters,  while  his  men  were  indi 
vidually  engaged  and  scattered  through  the  woods  around  him, 
he  suddenly  found  himself  alone,  and  assailed  by  a  tory  captain^ 
named  Lewis,  at  the  head  of  a  small  party.  "Lewis  was  armed 
with  a  musket,  and  in  the  act  of  firing,  when  a  sudden  shot  from 
the  woods  tumbled  him  from  his  horse,  in  the  very  moment  when 
his  own  gun  was  discharged.  The  bullet  of  Lewis  took  effect  on 
Ilorry's  horse.  The  shot  which  so  seasonably  slew  the  tory,  had 
been  sent  by  the  hands  of  a  boy  named  Given. 


A  HIGH  SPIRITED  FAMILY. 

JUST  after  the  defeat  of  Col.  Ferguson  at  King's  Mountain^ 
General  Cornwallis  in  retreating  towards  Winnsboro'  halted  for 
the  night  at  Wilson's  plantation,  near  Steel  creek.  The  British 
general,  with  his  staff,  and  the  infamous  Tarleton  occupied  the 
house  of  Mrs.  Wilson.  Supper  was  ordered  and  prepared  for  the 
British  officers.  Cornwallis  in  order  to  obtain  a  knowledge  of 
his  hostess,  entered  into  conversation  with  her,  and  soon  found 
that  he  was  occupying  the  house  of  a  noted  whig  leader,  Robert 
Wilson,  who  at  that  time  with  his  son  John,  was  a  prisoner  in  the 
Camden  jail,  and  who  was  the  father  and  brother  of  more  than  a 
dozen  active  whig  soldiers.  The  British  general  upon  this,  at 
tempted  to  enlist  the  sympathies  of  his  hostess  with  the  royal  cause. 
He  observed,  that  it  was  a  matter  of  sincere  regret  with  him,  to 
be  compelled  to  wage  a  war,  the  worst  calamities  of  which  fell 
upon  women.  He  was  inclined  to  believe,  that  there  were  many 
worthv  men  in  the  rebel  army,  who  had  been  induced  to  take  up 


198  A  HIGH-SPIRITED    FAMILY. 

arms  by  the  delusive  promises  of  unprincipled  leaders.  "  Madam," 
he  continued,  "  your  husband  and  your  son  are  my  prisoners  ;  the 
fortunes  of  war  may  soon  place  others  of  your  sons — perhaps  all 
your  kinsmen,  in  my  power.  Your  sons  are  young,  aspiring  and 
brave.  In  a  good  cause,  fighting  for  a  generous  and  powerful 
king,  such  as  George  III.,  they  might  hope  for  rank,  honor  and 
wealth.  If  you  could  but  induce  your  husband  and  sons  to  leave 
the  rebels,  and  take  up  arms  for  their  lawful  sovereign,  I  would 
almost  pledge  myself,  that  they  shall  have  rank  and  consideration 
in  the  British  army.  If  you,  madam,  will  pledge  yourself  to  in 
duce  them  to  do  so,  I  will  immediately  order  their  discharge." 

To  this  appeal,  Mrs.  Wilson  replied,  that  her  husband  and 
sons  were  indeed  dear  to  her,  and  that  she  would  do  anything 
her  conscience  would  uphold  to  advance  their  interests.  For  five 
years,  they  had  been  engaged  in  the  struggle  for  liberty,  and  had 
never  faltered  nor  fled  from  the  contest.  "  I  have  seven  sons 
who  are  now,  or  have  been,  bearing  arms,"  she  continued, — "  in 
deed  my  seventh  son,  Zaccheus,  who  is  only  fifteen  years  old,  I 
yesterday  assisted  to  get  ready,  to  go  and  join  his  brothers  in 
Sumpter's  army.  Now,  sooner  than  see  one  of  my  family  turn 
back  from  the  glorious  enterprise,  I  would  take  those  boys,  (point 
ing  to  three  or  four  small  sons)  and  with  them  would  myself  en 
list  under  Sumter's  standard,  and  show  my  husband  and  sons  how 
to  fight,  and  if  necessary,  to  die  for  their  country  !"  "  All !  Gene 
ral  !"  broke  in  Tarleton, — "  I  think  you've  got  into  a  hornet's 
nest !  Never  mind,  when  we  get  to  Camden,  I'll  take  good  care 
that  old  Robert  Wilson  never  comes  back  again !" 

"  On  the  next  day's  march,  a  party  of  scouts  captured  Zaccheus, 
who  was  found  on  the  flank  of  the  British  army,  with  his  gun, 
endeavoring  to  diminish  his  Majesty's  forces.  He  was  immediately 


A    HIGH-SPIRITED    FAMILY.  199 

taken  to  the  head  of  the  column.,  and  catechised  by  Cornwallis, 
who  took  the  boy  along  with  him  on  the  march,  telling  him  that, 
lie  must  act  as  his  guide  to  the  Catawba,  and  show  him  the  best 
ford.  Arriving  at  the  river,  the  head  of  the  army  entered  at  the 
point  designated  by  the  lad,  but  the  soldiers  had  scarcely  gone 
half  across,  before  they  found  themselves  in  deep  water — and 
drawn  by  a  rapid  current  down  the  stream.  Belie veing  that  the 
boy,  on  whom  he  had  relied,  to  show  him  the  best  ford,  had  pur 
posely  brought  him  to  a  deep  one,  in  order  to  embarrass  his 
march,  the  general  drew  his  sword,  and  flourishing  it  over  him 
swore  he  would  cut  off  his  head  for  his  treachery.  Zaccheus  re 
plied,  that  he  had  the  power  to  do  so,  as  he  had  no  arms,  and 
was  his  prisoner  ;  '  but  sir,'  said  he,  *  don't  you  think  it  would  be  a 
cowardly  act  for  you  to  strike  an  unarmed  boy  with  your  sword  ? 
If  I  had  but  the  half  of  your  weapon,  it  would  not  be  so  cowardly ; 
but  then  you  know  it  would  not  be  so  safe  !' 

"  Struck  by  the  lad's  cool  courage,  the  general  became  calmer — 
told  him  he  was  a  fine  fellow,  and  that  he  would  not  hurt  a  hair 
of  his  head.  Having  discovered  that  the  ford  was  shallow  enough 
by  bearing  up  stream,  the  British  army  crossed  over  in  safety,  and 
proceeded  towards  Winnsboro'.  On  this  march,  Cornwallis  dis 
missed  Zaccheus,  telling  him  to  go  home  and  take  care  of  his 
mother,  and  to  tell  her,  to  keep  her  boys  at  home.  After  he 
reached  Winnsboro',  Cornwallis  dispatched  an  order  to  Rawdon, 
to  send  Robert  Wilson  and  his  son  John,  with  several  others,  to 
Charleston,  carefully  guarded.  Accordingly  in  November,  about 
the  2Qth.,  Wilson,  his  son  and  ten  others,  set  off  under  the  escort 
of  an  officer  and  fifteen  or  twenty  men.  Below  Camden,  on  the 
Charleston  route,  parties  of  British  soldiers  and  trains  of  waggons 
were  continually  passing,  so  that  the  officer  had  no  fear  of  the 


200  A  HIGH-SPIRITED    FAMILY. 

Americans,  and  never  dreamed  of  the  prisoners  attempting  an  es 
cape.  Wilson  formed  plans,  and  arranged  everything  several 
times,  but  owing  to  the  presence  of  large  parties  of  the  enemy, 
they  could  not  be  executed.  At  length,  being  near  Fort  Watson, 
they  encamped  before  night,  the  prisoners  being  placed  in  the 
yard,  and  the  guard  in  the  portico  and  house.  A  sentinel  was 
posted  in  the  portico  over  the  stock  of  arms,  and  all  hands  went 
to  providing  for  their  evening  repast. 

"  Having  bribed  a  soldier  to  buy  some  whiskey,  for  it  had  been 
a  rainy  day,  the  prisoners  pretended  to  drink  freely,  and  one  of 
them  seemingly  more  intoxicated  than  the  rest,  insisted  upon 
treating  the  sentinel.  Wilson  followed  him  as  if  to  prevent  him 
from  giving  him  the  whiskey,  it  being  a  breach  of  military  order. 
Watching  a  favorable  opportunity,  he  seized  the  sentinel's  musket, 
and  the  drunken  man,  suddenly  becoming  sober,  seized  the  sentinel. 
At  this  signal  the  prisoners  rushed  to  the  guns  in  the  portico, 
while  the  guard  taking  the  alarm,  rushed  out  of  the  house.  In 
the  scramble  for  arms,  the  prisoners  succeeded — drove  the  soldiers 
into  the  house,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  the  whole  guard 
surrendered  at  discretion.  Unable  to  take  off  their  prisoners, 
Wilson  made  them  all  hold  up  their  right  hands  and  swear  never 
again  to  bear  arms  against  the  cause  of  '  liberty  and  the  continen 
tal  congress,'  and  then  told  them  that  they  might  go  to  Charleston 
on  parole;  but  if  he  ever  caught  one  of  them  in  arms  again,  he 
would  '  hang  him  up  to  a  tree  like  a  dog.' 

"  Scarcely  were  they  rid  of  their  prisoners,  before  a  party  of 
British  dragoons  came  in  sight.  As  the  only  means  of  escape, 
they  separated  and  took  to  the  woods.  Some  of  them  reached 
Marion's  camp  at  Snow  Island,  and  Wilson,  with  two  or  three 


ESCAPE  OF  CAPTAIN  PLUNKETT.          201 

others,  arrived  safely  at  Mecklenburg — a  distance  of  over  two 
hundred  miles,  through  a  country  overrun  by  British  troops."* 


ESCAPE  OF  CAPTAIN  PLUNKETT. 

"  CAPTAIN  PLUNKETT,  a  high-spirited  Irishman,  whose  attach 
ment  to  the  cause  of  liberty  had  led  him  to  seek  a  commission  in 
the  continental  army,  had,  by  the  chances  of  war,  been  compelled 
to  give  up  his  sword,  and  to  surrender  himself  a  prisoner  to  the 
enemy.  Previously  to  this  untoward  event,  by  the  suavity  of  his 
manners,  and  uniformly  correct  conduct,  he  had  rendered  himself 
an  acceptable  guest  in  many  families  in  Philadelphia,  and  parti 
cularly  so,  to  one  of  the  society  of  Friends,  who,  however  averse 
to  warfare,  were  not  insensible  of  the  claims  of  those  to  their  re 
gard,  who,  by  the  exercise  of  manly  and  generous  feelings,  de 
lighted  to  soften  its  asperities.  There  was  among  them,  a  female, 
mild  and  gentle  as  a  dove,  yet,  in  firmness  of  mind,  a  heroine,  in 
personal  charms,  an  angel.  She  saw  the  sufferings  of  the  captive 
soldier,  and  under  the  influences  of  pity,  or  perhaps  a  more  pow 
erful  passion,  resolved,  at  all  hazards,  to  relieve  him.  It  acciden 
tally  happened  that  the  uniform  of  Captain  Plunkett's  regiment, 
bore  a  striking  resemblance  to  that  of  a  British  corps,  which  was 
frequently  set  as  a  guard  over  the  prison  in  which  he  was  confined. 
A  new  suit  of  regimentals  was,  in  consequence,  procured  and  con 
veyed,  without  suspicion  of  sinister  design,  to  the  captain.  On  the 
judicious  use  of  them  rested  the  hopes  of  his  fair  friend  to  give 

*  "Women  of  the  Revolution." 


202  ESCAPE  OF  CAPTAIN   PJLUNKETT. 

him  freedom.  It  frequently  happened  that  officers  of  inferior 
grade,  while  their  superiors  affected  to  shun  all  intercourse  with 
the  rebels,  would  enter  the  apartments  of  the  prisoners,  and  con 
verse  with  them  with  kindness  and  familiarity,  and  then  at  their 
pleasure,  retire.  Two  sentinels  constantly  walked  the  rounds 
without,  and  the  practice  of  seeing  their  officers  walking  in  and 
out  of  the  interior  prison,  became  so  familiar,  as  scarcely  to  attract 
notice,  and  constantly  caused  them  to  give  way  without  hesitation, 
as  often  as  an  officer  showed  a  disposition  to  retire.  Captain 
Plunkett  took  the  advantage  of  this  circumstance,  and  putting  on 
his  new  coat,  at  the  moment  that  the  relief  of  the  guard  was  taking 
place,  sallied  forth,  twitching  a  switch  carelessly  about,  and  order 
ing  the  exterior  door  of  the  prison  to  be  opened,  walked  without 
opposition  into  the  street.  Repairing  without  delay,  to  the  habi 
tation  of  his  fair  friend,  he  was  received  with  kindness,  and  for 
some  days  secreted  and  cherished  with  every  manifestation  of  af 
fectionate  regard. 

"  To  elude  the  vigilance  of  the  British  Guards,  if  he  attempted  to 
pass  into  the  country  in  his  present  dress,  was  deemed  impossible. 
Woman's  wit,  however,  is  never  at  a  loss  for  contrivances,  while 
swayed  by  the  influence  of  love  or  benevolence.  Both,  in  this  in 
stance  may  have  aided  invention.  Plunkett  had  three  strong 
claims  in  nis  favor ;  he  was  a  handsome  man — a  soldier — and  an 
Irishman.  The  general  conduct  of  the  Quakers,  exempted  the 
sect  in  a  great  measure  from  suspicion,  in  so  great  a  degree,  in 
deed,  that  the  barriers  of  the  city  were  generally  entrusted  to  the 
care  of  their  members,  as  the  best  judges  of  the  characters  of  those 
persons  who  might  be  allowed  to  pass  them.  A  female  Friend, 
from  a  farm  near  the  city,  was  in  the  family,  on  a  visit  to  a  rela- 
tive.  *  A  pretext  was  formed  to  present  her  with  a  new  suit  of 


ESCAPE  OF  CAPTAIN  PLUNKETT.          203 

clothes,  in  order  to  possess  tliat  which  she  wore  when  she  entered 
the  city.  Captain  Plimkett  was  immediately  disguised  as  a  wo 
man,  and  appeared  at  the  barrier,  accompanied  by  his  anxious 
deliverer. 

"  *  Friend  Roberts,'  said  the  enterprising  enthusiast,  '  may  this 
damsel  and  myself  pass  to  visit  a  friend  at  a  neighboring  farm  ?' 

"  '  Certainly,'  said  Roberts,  '  go  forward.'  The  city  was  spee 
dily  left  behind,  and  Captain  Plimkett  found  himself  safe,  under 
the  protection  of  Colonel  Allen  M'Lane,  his  particular  friend." 


ATTEMPTED  ABDUCTION  OF  GEN.  SCHUYLER. 

THE  scouting  parties  of  the  enemy,  emboldened  by  the  feeble 
state  of  the  country,  and  encouraged  by  the  high  rewards  offered 
them,  were  exceedingly  active  in  the  securing  of  influential  Ameri 
cans,  and  conveying  them  to  Canada  as  prisoners.  By  stratagems, 
and  sometimes  by  force,  they  fell  upon  those  persons,  marked  as 
their  victims,  and  by  rapid  marches  would  manage  to  escape  be 
yond  pursuit  almost  before  their  outrages  would  be  known.  Many 
of  these  attempts  were  successful,  but  others  signally  failed.  The 
latter  was  the  case  with  one  of  their  most  audacious  attempts,  in 
the  securing  of  Gen.  Schuyler ;  they,  also,  failed  in  their  object  with 
Gen.  Gansevoort. 

Gen.  Schuyler's  residence  was  in  the  suburbs  of  Albany.  He 
had  retired  from  the  army,  but  still  was  of  vast  consequence  and 
influence  to  the  American  cause.  The  importance  that  he  assu 
med  in  the  control  of  affairs,  made  it  an  especial  object  with  Hal- 
dimand,  the  British  commander  in  Canada,  to  secure  his  person. 


204  ATTEMPTED  ABDUCTION 

A  desperate  plot  was,  therefore,  set  on  foot.  John  Waltermeyer, 
a  notorious  Tory  partizan,  was  entrusted  with  the  execution  of  the 
design,  and  with  a  company  of  whites  and  Indians,  he  proceeded 
to  Albany,  and  prepared  to  entrap  his  anticipated  victim.  The 
General  had  been  cautioned  often  of  the  danger  to  which  he  was 
subjected  by  such  attempts ;  and  the  frequency  with  which  influ 
ential  citizens  were  entrapped,  and  captured,  was  sufficient  cause 
for  him  to  exercise  every  vigilance  and  caution.  He  had,  there 
fore,  added  to  his  usual  household,  a  guard  of  six  men,  who  were, 
by  turn's,  on  duty  day  and  night. 

The  evening  of  a  sultry  day  in  August,  was  selected  as  the  oc 
casion  to  make  the  attempt.  The  general  and  his  family  were 
all  gathered  in  the  front  hall  of  his  house,  and  the  doors  were  all 
thrown  wide  open,  in  order  to  admit  all  the  cooling  air  possible, 
when  a  servant  announced  that  a  stranger  at  the  back  gate  re 
quired  the  presence  of  the  general,  on  a  matter  of  business.  A 
message  so  singular,  at  once  excited  suspicion.  Unfortunately, 
the  evening  was  so  very  warm,  that  the  servants  had  dispersed. 
The  three  sentinels  just  relieved  from  duty,  had  retired,  and  the 
others,  who  should  have  been  at  their  post,  were  stretched  on  the 
grass  in  the  garden,  The  doors  were  hastily  closed  and  fastened, 
while  the  family  hurried  to  the  upper  rooms,  the  general  to  arm 
himself,  and  the  others  for  security.  They  presently  discovered 
the  house  surrounded  by  a  body  of  armed  men,  and  almost  imme 
diately  was  heard  the  crash  of  heavy  blows  against  the  doors  be 
low.  The  general  threw  up  a  window  to  arouse  the  guard,  and 
with  the  hope  that  it  might  alarm  the  town,  or  bring  assistance 
from  some  quarter.  A  violent  struggle  was  now  heard  below. 
The  three  guards  who  were  within  the  house,  had  been  aroused, 
and  were  endeavoring  to  drive  the  assailants  back.  But  by  an 


OF    GEN.    SCHUYLER.  205 

unfortunate  incident,  they  were  without  their  weapons,  and  had 
only  the  weight  of  their  persons  to  oppose  in  resistance.  Mrs. 
Church,  a  daughter  of  the  general,  had  perceived,  some  hours  be 
fore,  her  little  son  playing  with  the  muskets,  and  not  supposing 
they  would  be  wanted,  while  she  feared  the  consequences  of  their 
being  within  reach  of  the  child,  had  caused  them  to  be  removed, 
while  she  neglected  to  inform  the  guard  of  the  circumstance. 
But  the  brave  fellows,  nothing  daunted,  opposed,  themselves,  un 
armed,  to  the  besieging  troop,  and  by  dealing  blows  as  soundly 
as  they  could  with  their  fists,  they  managed  for  a  few  moments  to 
keep  them  at  bay,  but  their  overwhelming  force  soon  overcome 
the  resistance,  and  they  rushed  into  the  house.  While  this  strug 
gle  was  going  on,  the  alarmed  and  terrified  ladies  above,  were  in 
an  agony  of  fear  at  the  remembrance  that  in  their  bustle  of  es 
caping,  an  infant  had  been  left  in  the  nursery,  which  was  situated 
on  the  first  floor.  Mrs.  Seliuyler  was  about  flying  to  its  rescue,  but 
the  general  prevented  her,  when  Margaret,  the  third  daughter, 
rushed  forth,  and  hastily  descending  a  private  stairway,  reached 
the  room,  and  snatched  the  babe  from  the  cradle,  where  it  was 
lying  in  undisturbed  repose.  But  as  she  was  hurrying  from  the 
room  with  her  valued  burthen,  a  tomahawk,  hurled  by  an  unseen 
hand,  glanced  by  her  side,  and  buried  itself  in  the  wall,  carrying 
\vith  it  a  remnant  of  her  dress.  Undismayed  by  this  circumstance, 
or  by  the  violent  commotion  in  the  hall,  she  hastened  to  the  same 
private  way  by  which  she  had  descended,  when  in  rapid  flight  to 
the  rooms  above,  to  her  terror,  she  was  confronted  by  Walter- 
meyer,  the  leader  of  the  gang,  who  exclaimed — "  Wench,  where 
is  your  master  ?"  With  admirable  presence  of  mind,  she  replied — 
"  Gone  to  arouse  the  town."  Alarmed  at  this,  he  hurried  by,  per 
mitting  her  to  escape  to  the  room  where  the  family  was  gathered, 


206  ADVENTURES    OF    DR.  CALDWELL. 

who,  in  dreadful  apprehension,  were  awaiting  the  issue  of  her  da 
ring  and  heroic  exploit. 

Waltermeyer  hastily  summoned  his  followers  from  the  draw 
ing  room,  where  they  were  engaged  in  plundering  the  plate,  and 
who  reluctantly  desisted  from  their  work,  to  listen  to  the  orders  of 
their  leader.  At  this  moment  the  general  threw  up  a  window, 
and  called  out — "  Come  on  my  brave  fellows,  surround  the  house 
and  secure  the  villains  who  are  plundering."  The  party  terrified 
at  this,  and  supposing  that  they  were  surrounded,  made  a  preci 
pitate  retreat  from  the  house,  carrying  with  them  the  three  men 
who  had  so  heroically  defended  the  house,  one  of  whom  was 
wounded.  Waltermeyer  himself  had  received  a  bullet  from  one 
of  the  general's  pistols,  but  was  only  slightly  wounded.  By  this 
time  the  city  was  alarmed,  and  the  citizens  came  hurrying  to  the 
spot,  but  not  before  the  entire  body  of  assailants  had  fled. 

The  three  guard  were  conveyed  into  Canada,  and  were  restored 
after  the  war.  To  each  the  general  bequeathed  a  farm  in  reward 
for  his  services. 


ADVENTURES  OP  DR.  CALDWELL. 

THE  REV.  DAVID  CALDWELL,  a  Presbyterian  minister  in  North 
Carolina,  was  very  much  subjected  to  the  persecutions  of  the  loy 
alists.  At  one  time,  while  he  was  absent,  a  party  of  British  came 
to  his  house  and  occupied  it,  turning  Mrs.  Caldwell  out  of  doors, 
who  was  obliged  to  seek  refuge  in  the  smoke  house,  where  she 
remained  for  two  days  with  no  other  food  than  a  little  dried  fruit. 
After  remaining  for  two  days  on  the  plantation,  during  which 


ADVENTURES  OF    DR.  CALDWELL.  207 

time  they  had  destroyed  everything,  they  prepared  to  leave,  but 
before  doing  so,  in  order  that  nothing  should  be  left  undone 
which  their  hatred  could  suggest  to  do,  the  valuable  library  of 
Dr.  Caldwell,  containing  books  it  was  impossible  to  replace,  and 
manuscripts  that  had  cost  years  of  study  and  labor,  was  wantonly 
burned.  A  large  fire  was  built  for  the  purpose,  and  the  books 
brought  in  armsfull  and  cast  upon  the  flames. 

"  The  persecution  of  Dr.  Caldwell  continued  while  the  British 
occupied  that  portion  of  the  state.  His  property  was  destroyed, 
and  he  was  hunted  as  a  felon  ;  snares  were  laid  for  him,  and  pre 
tences  used  to  draw  him  from  his  hiding  places  ;  he  was  com 
pelled  to  pass  nights  in  the  woods,  and  ventured  only  at  the  most 
imminent  peril  to  see  his  family.  Often  he  escaped  captivity  or 
death,  as  it  were,  by  a  miracle.  At  one  time  when  he  had  ven 
tured  home  on  a  stolen  visit,  the  house  was  suddenly  surrounded 
by  armed  men,  who  seized  him  before  he  could  escape,  designing 
to  carry  him  to  the  British  camp.  One  or  two  were  set  to  guard 
him,  while  the  others  went  to  gather  such  articles  of  provisions 
and  clothing  as  could  be  found  worth  taking  away.  -  When  they 
were  nearly  ready  to  depart,  the  plunder  collected  being  piled  in 
the  middle  of  the  floor,  and  the  prisoner  standing  beside  it  with 
his  guard,  Mrs.  Dunlap,  who  with  Mrs.  Caldwell  had  remained 
in  an  adjoining  apartment,  came  forward.  With  the  promptitude 
and  presence  of  mind  for  which  women  are  often  remarkable  in 
sudden  emergencies,  she  stepped  behind  Dr.  Caldwell,  leaned 
over  his  shoulder,  and  whispered  to  him  as  if  intending  the  ques 
tion  for  his  ear  alone,  asking  if  it  was  not  time  for  Gillespie  and 
his  men  to  be  there.  One  of  the  soldiers  who  stood  near  caught 
the  words,  and  with  evident  alarm  demanded  what  men  were 
meant.  The  lady  replied  that  she  was  merely  speaking  to  her 


208  ADVENTURES    OF    DR.  CALDWELL 

brother.  In  a  moment  all  was  confusion  ;  the  whole  party  was 
panic-struck ;  exclamations  and  hurried  questions  followed  ;  and 
in  the  consternation  produced  by  this  ingenious,  though  simple 
manoeuvre,  the  tories  fled  precipitately,  leaving  their  prisoner  and 
their  plunder.  The  name  of  Gillespie  was  a  scourge  and  terror 
to  the  loyalists,  and  this  party  knew  themselves  to  be  within  the 
limits  of  one  of  the  strongest  whig  neighborhoods  in  the  state." 

The  plantations  of  Dr.  Caldwell  and  his  brother  Alexander, 
were  near  each  other.  One  evening,  during  Alexander's  absence 
from  home,  two  soldiers  entered  his  house,  and  began  rudely  to 
seize  upon  everything  they  saw  worth  carrying  off,  having  ordered 
his  wife  to  prepare  supper  for  them.  They  were  supposed  to  be 
long  to  the  army  of  Cornwallis,  at  that  time  foraging  in  the  neigh 
borhood.  Not  knowing  what  to  do,  Mrs.  Caldwell  sent  to  her 
brother-in-law  for  advice.  He  sent  word  in  answer,  that  she  must 
treat  the  men  civilly,  and  have  supper  ready  as  soon  as  practicable ; 
but  that  she  must  observe  where  they  placed  their  guns,  and  set 
the  table  at  the  other  end  of  the  house.  He  promised  to  come 
over  in  the  meantime,  and  conceal  himself  in  a  haystack  close  by ; 
and  she  was  to  inform  him  as  soon  as  the  men  had  set  down  to 
supper.  These  directions  were  implicitly  followed.  The  house 
was  a  double  cabin,  containing  two  rooms  on  the  same  floor. 
While  the  men  were  leisurely  discussing  their  repast,  Dr.  Cald 
well  quietly  entered  the  other  apartment,  took  up  one  of  the  guns 
and  stepping  to  the  door  of  the  room  where  they  were  so  com 
fortably  occupied,  presented  the  weapon,  and  informed  them  they 
were  his  prisoners,  and  their  lives  would  be  the  forfeit,  should  they 
make  the  least  attempt  to  escape.  They  surrendered  immedi 
ately,  and  Dr.  Caldwell  marched  them  to  his  own  house,  where 


COLONEL     WILLETT.  209 

he  kept  them  till  morning,  and  then  suffered  them  to  depart  on 
their  parole."* 


COLONEL   WILLETT. 

COLONEL  WILLETT,  possesses  an  enviable  reputation  for  the 
skill  and  courage  he  manifested  in  the  border  wars  of  New  York, 
during  the  revolution.  He  was  engaged  in  many  successful  en 
terprises,  two  of  which  won  for  him  especial  honor.  During  the 
siege  of  Fort  Stanwix,  General  Herkimer  made  an  attempt  to  re 
lieve  it.  He  was  approaching  with  a  large  body  of  militia,  when 
it  was  resolved  to  make  a  diversion  in  his  favor.  Two  hundred 
men  were  placed  on  parade  for  the  purpose,  and  Col.  Willett  en 
trusted  with  the  command.  But  meanwhile,  Gen.  Herkimer  fell 
into  an  ambuscade  of  the  enemy,  when  ensued  the  fearful  battle 
of  Oriskany.  The  sally,  however,  was  made  by  Col.  Willett, 
which  was  most  successful.  The  camp  of  the  enemy  was  attacked, 
they  were  routed,  and  large  quantities  of  stores  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  conqueror.  With  so  much  skill  was  this  attack  made,  that 
although  two  camps,  one  of  the  British,  the  other  of  the  Indians, 
fell  successively  into  the  hands  of  Willett,  and  in  returning  to  the 
fort  with  the  conquered  stores,  he  encountered  some  opposition  by 
Colonel  St.  Leger,  yet  the  enterprise  was  accomplished  without 
the  loss  of  a  single  man. 

But  the  relief  of  the  fort  still  being  an  object  of  the  utmost  im 
portance,  and  the  failure  of  General  Herkimer,  to  come  to  their 
aid,  convincing  them  that  he  had  met  with  some  misfortune,  it 


*  "  Women  of  the  Revolution.' 


210  COLONEL  WILLETT. 

was  thought  advisable  to  make  another  effort  to  secure  the  assis 
tance  so  much  needed.  The  militia  of  Tyron  county,  having  for 
merly  expressed  a  strong  attachment  to  Col.  Willett,  it  was  sup 
posed  that  if  he  could  appear  among  them,  it  might  have  the  ef 
fect  of  inspiriting  them  with  fresh  resolution,  and  induce  them  a 
second  time  to  attempt  the  raising  of  the  seige.  Actuated  by 
these  considerations,  Col.  Willett  resolved  to  make  the  hazardous 
attempt  of  reaching  the  settlements  down  the  river.  From  the 
memoirs  of  Col.  Willett,  by  his  son,  we  draw  the  particulars  of 
this  perilous  enterprise  : 

"About  10  o'clock,  on  the  night  of  the  10th  of  August,  [1777J, 
Col.  Willett  left  the  fort,  accompanied  by  Major  Stockwell,  whom 
he  selected  for  this  purpose,  as  he  was  a  good  hunter,  and  was 
well  acquainted  with  the  Indian  method  of  travelling  in  the  wil 
derness.  They  passed  privately  through  the  sally-port  of  the  fort, 
and  proceeding  silently  along  the  marsh,  they  reached  the  river, 
which  they  crossed  by  crawling  over  a  log,  unperceived  by  the 
enemy's  sentinels,  who  were  not  many  yards  from  them.  Having 
thus  happily  succeeded  in  crossing  the  river  without  being  discov 
ered,  they  advanced  cautiously  into  a  swampy  wood,  where  they 
soon  found  themselves  so  enveloped  in  darkness,  as  to  be  unable 
to  keep  a  straight  course.  While  in  a  state  of  uncertainty  as  to 
the  safest  step  for  them  to  take,  they  were  alarmed  by  the  barking 
of  a  dog,  at  no  great  distance  from  them.  Knowing  that  the  In 
dians,  after  their  camp  had  been  broken  up  on  the  other  side  of 
the  river,  had  removed  to  this  side,  they  thought  it  most  advisable- 
to  remain  where  they  were,  until  they  should  have  light  suffi 
cient  to  direct  their  course.  Placing  themselves  therefore  against 
a  large  tree,  they  stood  perfectly  quiet  for  several  hours.  At 
length,  perceiving  the  morning-star,  they  again  set  out,  but  in 


COLONEL    WILLETT.  211 

stead  of  proceeding  in  a  direct  line  to  reach  the  settlement,  they 
took  nearly  a  northern  direction,  which  after  a  few  miles  brought 
them  again  to  the  river.  With  the  intention  of  concealing  their 
route,  in  case  their  tracks  should  be  discovered,  they  stepped  in 
and  out  of  the  river  several  times,  crossing  occasionally  to  the 
opposite  side,  until  reaching  a  spot  where  they  could  completely 
conceal  their  track  by  stepping  on  stones,  they  left  the  river,  took 
a  north  course  for  a  few  hours,  and  then  travelled  east  until  night, 
without  making  a  single  stop.  As  it  was  necessary  for  them  to 
be  encumbered  as  little  as  possible,  they  had  left  the  fort  with  no 
other  weapon,  but  a  spear  for  each,  eight  feet  in  length,  which 
was  intended  to  serve  as  a  staff  as  well  as  a  weapon  of  defence. 
They  had  taken  no  baggage  nor  blanket ;  and  all  the  provision 
they  had  with  them,  consisted  of  a  few  crackers  and  cheese,  which 
they  had  put  in  their  pockets,  together  with  a  quart  of  canteen 
spirits.  Having  halted  for  the  night,  they  refreshed  themselves 
with  such  provision  as  they  had ;  after  which,  their  situation  being 
too  perilous  to  think  of  kindling  a  fire,  they  lay  down  to  sleep 
wrapped  in  each  other's  arms.  Though  it  was  then  the  height  of 
summer,  yet  the  night  was  so  cold,  as,  together  with  hard  travel 
ling  the  day  before,  and  sleeping  on  the  ground  without  any  cov 
ering,  made  them  feel  very  stiff  when  they  arose  the  next  morning. 
Colonel  Willett  had  so  severe  a  rheumatic  attack  in  one  of  his 
knees,  as  to  cause  a  limp  in  his  walk  for  several  hours.  Setting 
out  once  more,  they  directed  their  course  farther  to  the  south,  and 
about  9  o'clock  came  to  an  opening  in  the  woods,  occasioned  by 
a  windfall.  In  this  opening,  among  the  fallen  trees,  they  found 
a  forest  of  raspberries  and  blackberries,  quite  ripe,  which  afforded 
them  a  most  delicious  and  refreshing  repast.  Though  the  day 
was  very  warm,  yet,  deriving  new  vigor  from  their  banquet  of 


212  INTREPID    CONDUCT 

berries,  they  proceeded  expiditously  towards  the  settlement,  where 
they  arrived  at  three  o'clock,  having  travelled  in  this  time  about 
fifty  miles.  On  arriving  at  Fort  Dayton,  a  small  stockade  fort  at 
the  German  Flats,  they  received  a  hearty  welcome  from  Colonel 
Weston,  who  was  stationed  there  with  his  regiment." 

Proceeding  from  Fort  Dayton,  Colonel  Willett  soon  joined  a 
detachment  of  troops  under  Gen.  Leamand,  marching  to  the  re 
lief  of  the  fort.  The  British  General  Register  for  1777,  speaking 
of  this  enterprise,  says : — "  They  passed  by  night  through  the 
besieger's  works,  and  in  contempt  of  the  danger  and  cruelty  of 
the  savages,  made  their  way  fifty  miles  through  pathless  and  un 
explored  morasses,  in  order  to  raise  the  country  and  bring  relief 
to  the  fort.  Such  an  action  demands  the  praise  even  of  an 
enemy." 


INTREPID  CONDUCT  OF  MAJOR  JAMES. 

AFTER  the  fall  of  Charleston,  the  British  commander  in  South 
Carolina  issued  a  proclamation,  granting  protection  to  all  those 
of  the  rebels,  who  would  lay  down  their  arms,  and  refrain  from 
the  further  levying  of  war  on  his  majesty.  The  apparently  hope 
less  condition  of  the  cause  and  the  entire  want  of  an  organized 
force  for  resistance,  induced  many  worthy  citizens  to  avail  them 
selves  of  England's  offered  protection.  But  scarcely  had  they 
done  so,  when  another  proclamation  appeared,  to  the  effect  that 
they  were  not  only  to  submit  to  English  authority,  but  be  com 
pelled  to  take  up  arms  in  support  of  the  royal  cause.  This  pro 
ceeding,  looked  upon,  by  the  people,  as  an  infamous  trap,  aroused 


OF    MAJOR    JAMES.  213 

their  indignation.  The  residents  of  one  district  when  about  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  offers  in  the  first  proclamation,  had  the 
second  placed  before  them.  At  a  loss  to  understand  such  con 
flicting  offers,  they  despatched  a  delegate  to  the  nearest  British 
authority  in  order  that  the  matter  should  be  explained,  and  their 
doubts  satisfied.  Major  John  James  was  chosen  as  this  delegate. 
"  Under  this  appointment,  Major  James  repaired  to  George 
town,  the  nearest  British  post,  which  was  then  under  the  command 
of  one  Captain  Ardesoif.  Attired  as  a  plain  backwoodsman, 
James  obtained  an  interview  with  Ardesoif,  and,  in  prompt  and 
plain  terms,  entered  at  once  upon  the  business  for  which  he  came. 
But  when  he  demanded  the  meaning  of  the  British  protection, 
and  asked  upon  what  terms  the  submission  of  the  citizens  was  to 
be  made,  he  was  peremptorily  informed  that  '  the  submission 
must  be  unconditional.'  To  an  inquiry,  whether  the  inhabitants 
were  to  be  allowed  to  remain  upon  their  plantations,  he  was  an 
swered  in  the  negative.  *  His  Majesty,'  said  Ardesoif,  '  offers  you 
a  free  pardon,  of  which  you  are  undeserving,  for  you  all  ought  to 
be  hanged  ;  but  it  is  only  on  condition  that  you  take  up  arms  in 
his  cause.'  James,  whom  we  may  suppose  to  have  been  very  far 
from  relishing  the  tone  and  language  in  which  he  was  addressed, 
very  coolly  replied,  that  '  the  people  whom  he  came  to  represent, 
would  scarcely  submit  on  such  conditions.'  The  republican  lan 
guage  of  the  worthy  Major  provoked  the  representative  of  royalty. 
The  word  '  represent,'  in  particular,  smote  harshly  on  his  ears ; 
something,  too,  in  the  cool,  contemptuous  manner  of  the  Major, 
may  have  contributed  to  his  vexation.  'Represent  /'  he  exclaimed 
in  a  fury — '  You  d d  rebel,  if  you  dare  speak  in  such  lan 
guage,  I  will  have  you  hung  up  at  the  yard  arm  !'  Ardesoif,  it 
must  be  known  was  a  sea-captain.  The  ship  which  he  command- 


214  A    NOVEL    SITUATION 

ed  lay  in  the  neighboring  river.  He  used  only  an  habitual  form 
of  speech  when  he  threatened  the  '  yard-arm,'  instead  of  the  tree. 
Major  James  gave  him  no  time  to  make  the  correction.  He  was 
entirely  weaponless,  and  Ardesoif  wore  a  sword  ;  but  the  inequal 
ity,  in  the  moment  of  his  anger,  was  unfelt  by  the  high-spirited 
citizen.  Suddenly  rising,  he  seized  upon  the  chair  on  which  he 
had  been  sitting,  and  floored  the  insolent  subordinate  at  a  blow ; 
then  hurrying  forth  without  giving  his  enemy  time  to  recover,  he 
mounted  his  horse,  and  made  his  escape  to  the  woods  before  pur 
suit  could  be  attempted. 

"  His  people  were  soon  assembled  to  hear  his  story.  The  ex 
actions  of  the  British,  and  the*  spirit  which  James  had  displayed, 
in  resenting  the  insolence  of  Ardesoif,  at  once  aroused  tlieir  own. 
Required  to  take  the  field,  it  did  not  need  a  moment  to  decide 
'  under  which  king.' 


A  NOVEL  SITUATION. 

IN  the  fall  of  1781  a  man  was  captured  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort 
Plain,  by  seven  Indians  and  hurried  off  into  the  wilderness.  At 
night  the  party  halted  at  a  deserted  log  tenement.  The  Indians 
built  a  fire,  and  after  supper  gathered  around  it  discussing  the 
misfortunes  of  their  expedition  which  thus  far  had  resulted  in  but 
a  few  scalps,  and  only  one  prisoner.  They  therefore  resolved  to 
kill  and  scalp  their  captive  in  the  morning,  and  return  toward  the 
Mohawk  with  the  hope  of  better  success.  Upon  this  conclusion 
they  stretched  themselves  upon  the  floor  for  sleep,  with  their  pris 
oner  between  two  of  them,  who  was  bound  by  cords  which  were 
also  fastened  to  the  bodies  of  his  keepers.  The  whole  of  the  dis- 


A   NOVEL    SITUATION.  215 

cussion  carried  oh  by  the  savages  was  understood  by  the  captive, 
who,  in  the  greatest  alarm  at  his  approaching  fate,  began  to  tax 
his  ingenuity  for  some  way  to  escape.  The  Indians  were  soon  in 
a  sound  slumber,  but  their  white  companion  kept  wide  awake, 
vainly  striving  to  devise  a  plan  for  his  escape,  and  beginning  to 
despair  and  to  yield  himself  to  his  doom,  when,  as  he  accidentally 
moved  his  hand  upon  the  floor,  it  rested  upon  a  fragment  ol 
broken  window  glass. 

"  Xo  sooner  did  the  prisoner  seize  the  glass,  than  a  ray  of  hope 
entered  his  bosom,  and  with  this  frail  assistant  he  instantly  set 
about  regaining  his  liberty.  He  commenced  severing  the  rope 
across  his  breast,  and  soon  it  was  stranded.  The  moment  was 
one  of  intense  excitement ;  he  knew  that  it  was  the  usual  custom 
for  one  or  more  of  an  Indian  party  to  keep  watch  and  prevent 
the  escape  of  their  prisoners.  Was  he  then  watched  ?  Should 
he  go  on,  with  the  possibility  of  hastening  his  own  doom,  or  wait 
and  see  if  some  remarkable  interposition  of  Providence  might 
save  him  ?  A  monitor  within  whispered,  "  Faith  without  works 
is  dead,"  and  after  a  little  pause  in  his  efforts,  he  resumed  them, 
and  soon  had  parted  another  strand  ;  and  as  no  movement  was 
made,  he  tremblingly  cut  another ;  it  was  the  last,  and  as  it  yield 
ed  he  sat  up.  He  was  then  enabled  to  take  a  midnight  view  of 
the  group  around  him,  in  the  feeble  light  reflected  from  the 
moon  through  a  small  window  of  a  single  sash.  The  enemy  ap 
peared  to  sleep,  and  he  soon  separated  the  cords  across  his  limbs. 
He  then  advanced  to  the  fire  and  raked  open  the  coals,  which  re 
flected  their  partial  rays  upon  the  painted  visages  of  those  mis 
guided  heathen,  whom  "British  gold  had  bribed  to  deeds  of  dam 
ning  darkness ;  and  being  fully  satisfied  that  all  were  sound 
asleep,  he  approached  the  door. 


A     NOVEL    SITUATION, 

The  Indians  had  a  large  watch-dog  outside  the  house.  He 
cautiously  opened  the  door,  sprang  out  and  ran,  and  as  he  had 
anticipated,  the  dog  was  yelling  at  his  heels.  He  had  about 
twenty  rods  to  run  across  a  cleared  field  before  he  could  reach  the 
woods  :  and  as  he  neared  them,  he  looked  back,  and  in  the  clear 
light  of  the  moon,  saw  the  Indians  all  in  pursuit.  As  he  neared 
the  forest,  they  all  drew  up  their  rifles  and  fired  upon  him,  at 
which  instant  a  strong  vine  caught  his  foot  and  he  fell  to  the 
ground.  The  volley  of  balls  passed  over  him,  and  bounding  to 
his  feet,  he  gained  the  beechen  shade.  Not  far  from  where  he 
entered,  he  had  noticed  the  preceding  evening,  a  large  hollow  log, 
and  on  coming  to  it,  he  sought  safety  within  it.  The  dog,  at  first 
mn  several  rods  past  the  log,  which  served  to  mislead  the  party, 
but  soon  returned  near  it,  and  ceased  barking,  without  a  visit  to 
the  entrance  of  the  captive's  retreat. 

"  The  Indians  sat  down  over  him,  and  talked  about  their  pris 
oner's  escape.  They  finally  came  to  the  conclusion,  that  he  had 
either  ascended  a  tree  near,  or  that  the  devil  had  aided  him  in  his 
escape,  which  to  them  appeared  the  most  reasonable  conclusion. 
As  morning  was  approaching,  they  determined  on  taking  an  early 
breakfast,  and  returning  to  the  river  settlements,  leaving  one  of 
their  number  to  keep  a  vigilant  watch  in  that  neighborhood,  for 
their  captive,  until  afternoon  of  the  following  day,  when  he  was 
to  join  his  fellows  at  a  designated  place.  This  plan  settled,  an 
Indian  proceeded  to  an  adjoining  field,  where  a  small  flock  of 
sheep  had  not  escaped  their  notice,  and  shot  one  of  them.  While 
enough  of  the  mutton  was  dressing  to  satisfy  their  immediate 
wants,  others  of  the  party  struck  up  a  fire,  which  they  chanced, 
most  unfortunately  for  his  comfort,  to  build  against  the  log  directly 
opposite  their  lost  prisoner.  The  heat  became  almost  intolerable 


A    NOVEL    SITUATION  217 

to  the  tenant  of  the  fallen  basswood,  before  the  meat  was  cooked 
—besides,  the  smoke  and  steam  which  found  their  way  through 
the  small  worm-holes  and  cracks,  had  nearly  suffocated  him,  ere 
he  could  sufficiently  stop  their  ingress,  which  was  done  by  thrust 
ing  a  quantity  of  leaves  and  part  of  his  own  clothing  into  the 
crannies.  A  cough,  which  he  knew  would  insure  his  death,  he  found 
it  most  difficult  to  avoid :  to  back  out  of  his  hiding  place  would 
also  seal  his  fate,  while  to  remain  in  it  much  longer,  he  felt  con 
scious,  would  render  his  situation,  to  say  the  least,  not  enviable. 
"  After  suffering  most  acutely  in  body  and  mind  for  a  time,  the 
prisoner  (who  was  again  such  by  accident),  found  his  miseries  al 
leviated  when  the  Indians  began  to  eat,  as  they  then  let  the  fire 
burn  down,  and  did  not  again  replenish  it.  After  they  had  dis 
patched  their  breakfast  of  mutton,  the  prisoner  heard  the  leader 
caution  the  one  left  to  watch  in  that  vicinity,  to  be  wary,  and  soon 
heard  the  retiring  footsteps  of  the  rest  of  the  party.  Often  during 
the  morning,  the  watchman  was  seated  or  standing  over  him. 
Not  having  heard  the  Indian  for  some  time,  and  believing  the 
hour  of  his  espionage  past,  he  cautiously  crept  out  of  the  log; 
and  finding  himself  alone,  being  prepared  by  fasting  and  steaming 
for  a  good  race,  he  drew  a  bee-line  for  Fort  Plain,  which  he 
reached  in  safety,  believing,  as  he  afterwards  stated,  that  all  the 
Indians  in  the  state  could  not  have  overtaken  him  in  his  flight."* 

*  Simms'  "  History  of  Schoharie  Co  " 


218  THE  DEATH  OF    MAJOR  HENLEY. 

THE  DEATH  OF  MAJOR  HENLEY. 

AFTER  the  retreat  from  Long  Island,  and  while  the  American 
army  was  stationed  at  Harlem  Heights,  the  English  had  posses 
sion  of  a  small  island  at  the  mouth  of  the  Harlem  river,  near  Hurl 
Gate  in  the  East  river,  which  was  covered  by  one  of  their  ships  of 
war.  From  this  ship,  on  the  twenty-second  day  of  September 
1776,  two  seamen  deserted  and  went  to  the  quarters  of  General 
Heath.  Upon  being  examined,  they  stated  that  the  cannon  had 
been  removed  from  the  island  to  the  frigate,  and  that  but  a  few 
men,  with  a  number  of  officers,  and  a  large  quantity  of  provisions 
and  stores,  remained  there  at  this  time.  On  receiving  this  infor 
mation  a  surprise  of  the  island  was  determined  upon,  and  three 
flat-bottomed  boats  were  at  once  prepared  for  the  purpose,  each 
boat  to  carry  two  hundred  and  forty  men.  They  were  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Jackson,  Major  Logan,  and  a  Major  whose 
name  is  not  known.  At  the  favorable  opportunity,  they  floated 
down  the  Harlem  river,  at  night,  and  with  the  tide,  with  the  hope 
of  arriving  to  their  destination  about  the  break  of  day. 

Major  Henly  who  was  mortified  at  being  excluded  from  the 
enterprise,  applied  to  General  Heath  for  the  privilege  of  accom 
panying  the  expedition  as  a  volunteer,  which  with  some  reluctance 
was  granted.  Says  the  biographer  of  Major  Henley,  "  Perhaps 
of  the  many  young  and  gallant  spirits,  who  then  crowded  to  fight 
beneath  the  banners  of  liberty,  none  were  more  ardent  in  her 
cause,  or  more  amiable  and  better  loved  by  his  cotemporaries  than 
was  Major  Henley.  Young,  courageous,  aspiring  and  sanguine 
in  the  cause  of  his  native  country,  he  considered  no  duty  too  ar 
duous,  no  deprivation  too  great,  no  suffering  too  severe,  in  assist 
ing  her  advancement  to  independence." 


THE  DEATH    OF    MAJOR  HENLEY.  219 

"A  couple  of  hours  after  midnight,  the  boats  received  their 
complement  of  men,  and  were  proceeding  slowly  down  the  narrow 
and  winding  creek.  There  was  no  light  to  guide  them  on  their 
way,  save  that  which  issued  from  the  bright  stars  of  heaven, 
shining  from  its  broad  spread  canopy.  There  was  no  voice  nor 
whispering  to  break  the  perfect  silence  of  that  hour ;  and  the  rip- 
plings  caused  by  the  prows  of  the  boats  passing  through  the 
water,  was  all  the  indication  of  their  making  any  progress.  They 
had  nearly  gained  the  scene  of  their  operations,  when  lo  !  as  they 
considered  themselves  secure  from  any  annoyance,  and  all  things 
promising  the  best  success  to  the  undertaking,  they  were  hailed 
from  the  shore  by  one  of  the  American  sentinels. 

"  '  Stop  !'  cried  he,  « or  I  will  fire  !' 

"  This  faithful  sentinel  had  not,  unfortunately,  been  informed 
of  the  expedition.  They  replied  from  the  boats  : 

"  '  We  are  friends  !' 

"  He  repeated  his  challenge  and  said  : 

"  '  You  must  stop  and  come  to  the  shore.' 

" '  Hush  we  are  friends,'  said  they  from  the  boats,  '  keep  si 
lence.' 

"  This  interruption  occurred  opposite  the  point  where  General 
Heath  was  to  stand  a  spectator  of  the  attack  upon  the  island. 
Major  Henly  seeing  the  general  and  several  officers  there,  leaped 
from  the  boat  into  the  water,  which  was  some  feet  deep,  and 
waded  to  the  shore,  and  in  an  instant  was  before  him. 

"  '  Sir,  will  it  do?'  said  he,  taking  the  general  by  the  hand. 

"  '  I  see  nothing  to  the  contrary.' 

"  '  Then  sir,  it  shall  do,'  answered  the  major  in  an  emphatic 
manner,  at  the  same  time  shaking  the  general  smartly  by  the 
hand  ;  in  a  moment  he  was  on  board  the  boat  again.  He  had 

10 


220  THE    DEATH    OF    MAJOR    HENLEY. 

no  sooner  seated  himself  than  a  command  was  given  to  the  oars 
men  to  proceed. 

"  '  Pull  away  for  your  lives.' 

"  The  sentinel  heard  the  order,  presented  his  piece  and  fired, 
but  without  doing  any  injury.  Early  dawn  was  just  lighting  up 
the  horizon  when  they  reached  the  island ;  the  precise  moment 
they  had  intended.  The  boat  in  which  the  officers  were,  landed 
The  two  seconds  in  command  were  to  spring  from  the  boat,  one 
on  each  side,  and  lead  on  the  troops  from  the  other  two  boats, 
which  were  to  land  each  side  of  the  first.  The  enemy's  guard 
charged  them  on  their  gaining  the  shore,  having  been  apprised 
of  the  attack  by  the  discharge  of  the  sentinel's  musket,  but  were 
instantly  driven  back.  Owing  to  some  unaccountable  misunder 
standing,  or  something  that  deserves  a  less  honorable  designation, 
the  men  in  the  other  two  boats,  instead  of  joining  them,  lay  at 
a  distance  from  the  shore  irresolute  and  inactive.  The  British, 
observing  that  the  Americans  were  not  supported,  returned 
warmly  to  the  charge ;  while  the  latter  finding  themselves  de 
serted,  and  Colonel  Jackson  having  received  a  shot  in  his  leg,  re 
turned  to  their  boat. 

"  They  lost  fourteen  of  their  number ;  and  painful  to  relate, 
Major  Henly,  who  had  proved  himself  most  active  in  this  unfor 
tunate  affair,  while  getting  over  the  side  of  the  boat,  was  shot 
through  the  heart  by  a  musket  ball.  He  gave  one  shrill  cry,  and 
leaping  some  two  or  three  feet  from  where  he  stood,  fell  dead 
among  his  comrades,  covering  them  with  his  blood. 

"  Thus  fell  a  brave  and  gallant  soldier.  He  had  just  entered 
into  manhood,  with  a  robust  health  and  strong  arm,  and  had  it 
pleased  the  Great  Disposer  for  him  to  have  continued  for  a  longer 
period  upon  the  stage  of  life,  he  would  probably,  from  his  early 


ADVENTURES    OF    COL.  HARPER.  221 

promise,  have  been  a  theme  of  eulogy  and  admiration.  His  body 
was  consigned  to  the  dust  with  military  honors,  and  the  soldiers 
who  gathered  around  the  remains  of  their  much  loved  companion, 
wept  at  his  untimely  fall. 

"  The  success  of  the  expedition  in  which  he  was  engaged  would 
have  been  very  probable  had  only  one  of  the  other  boats  landed  ; 
but,  in  the  opinion  of  all  concerned,  the  two  would  have  insured 
the  full  execution  of  the  whole  plan.  The  delinquents  were  ar 
rested  and  tried  by  a  court-martial.  One  of  the  captains  was 
cashiered." 


ADVENTURES  OP  COL.  HARPER. 

IN  the  year  1778  a  notorious  Tory  leader,  McDonald,  at  the 
head  of  three  hundred  Indians  and  Tories,  were  committing  great 
ravages  on  the  frontiers,  and  audaciously  carrying  on  their  depre 
dations  in  the  vicinity  of  the  forts  of  Schoharie,  which  were  all 
so  weakly  garrisoned,  that  they  could  offer  no  resistance  to  them. 
Col.  Harper,  stationed  at  one  of  the  forts,  perceiving  the  wanton 
barbarities  of  the  enemy,  resolved  to  undertake  a  journey  to  Al 
bany,  in  order  to  procure  sufficient  aid  to  arrest  them  in  their 
career.  It  was  an  expedition  full  of  peril,  but  he  sallied  boldly 
forth,  and  although  the  enemy  lined  his  entire  route,  he  undaunt 
edly  resolved  to  secure  help  for  the  perishing  inhabitants,  or  sac 
rifice  his  own  life  in  the  attempt.  His  first  day's  journey  was 
uninterrupted^  and  at  evening  he  rode  up  to  a  tory  tavern,  coolly 
demanded  a  room,  and  without  apparent  fear  or  apprehension 
retired  for  the  night.  But  he  was  not  unprepared.  Presently 


222  ADVENTURES   OF  COL.   HARPER. 

there  was  a  loud  rapping  at  the  door.  He  demanded  what  was 
wanted  ?  "  We  want  to  see  Col.  Harper,"  was  the  reply.  He 
deliberately  arose,  unlocked  the  door,  and  taking  his  sword  and 
pistols,  seated  himself  on  the  bed  to  receive  his  visitors.  They 
were  four,  and  entered  blusteringly,  and  with  threatening  aspects. 
The  colonel  raised  his  pistols  and  said,  "  step  one  inch  over  that 
mark,  and  you  are  dead  men."  There  was  something  in  his  de 
termined  and  resolute  aspect  that  arrested  their  progress.  Their 
boldness  fled  before  his  unflinching  eye,  and  irresolute  they  looked 
from  one  to  the  other  at  a  loss  how  to  proceed.  In  vain  did  they 
look  for  a  sign  of  weakness  in  his  manner ;  the  least  show  of  such 
a  thing  would  have  proved  his  destruction.  Overawed,  and 
abashed,  they  retreated  from  his  presence  with  what  grace  they 
could,  and  left  him  master  of  the  field.  Still,  however,  feeling 
himself  insecure,  he  did  not  sleep  again  that  night,  but  kept  a 
wary  watch.  In  the  morning  he  boldly  mounted  his  horse,  and 
although  the  enemy  were  concealed  in  the  vicinity  of  the  house, 
for  some  reason  he  was  allowed  to  pass  unmolested.  But  an  In 
dian  followed  him  almost  the  entire  rest  of  the  way ;  whenever 
the  colonel  would  turn  and  present  a  pistol  he  would  run  with 
all  his  might,  but  again  steal  cautiously  in  his  rear.  Uninjured 
the  colonel  reached  Albany,  procured  aid,  hastened  back  to  Scho- 
harie,  and  wreaked  a  sudden  retribution  on  the  marauders. 

The  following  account  of  another  succesful  enterprise  of  Col. 
Harper,  we  find  in  Campbell's  "  Annals  of  Tryon  County." 

"In  the  year  1777,  he  had  command  of  one  of  the  forts  in 
Schoharie  county,  and  of  all  the  frontier  stations  in  that  region. 
He  left  the  fort  in  Schoharie,  and  came  out  through  the  woods  to 
Harpersfield,  in  the  time  of  making  sugar,  and  thence  laid  his 
course  for  Cherry  Valley,  to  investigate  the  state  of  things  there ; 


ADVENTURES    OF  COL.  HARPFR. 

and  as  he  was  pursuing  a  blind  kind  of  Indian  trail,  and  was  as 
cending  wrhat  are  now  called  Decatur  Hills,  he  cast  his  eye  for 
ward,  and  saw  a  company  of  men  coming  directly  towards  him, 
who  had  the  appearance  of  Indians.  He  knew  that  if  he  at 
tempted  to  flee  from  them,  they  would  shoot  him  down ;  he  re 
solved  to  advance  right  up  to  them,  and  make  the  best  shift  for 
himself  he  could.  As  soon  as  he  came  near  enough  to  discern 
the  white  of  their  eyes,  he  knew  the  head  man  and  several  others ; 
the  head  man's  name  was  Peter,  an  Indian  with  whom  Col.  Har 
per  had  often  traded,  at  Oquago  before  the  revolution  began.  The 
colonel  had  his  great-coat  on,  so  that  his  regimentals  were  con 
cealed,  and  he  was  not  recognised  ;  the  first  words  of  address  of 
Col.  Harper's  was,  '  How  do  you  do,  brothers?' 

" '  Well — how  do  you  do,  brother  ?'  was  the  reply. 

" '  On  a  secret  expedition :  and  which  way  are  you  bound 
brothers  ?' 

" '  Down  the  Susquehannah,  to  cut  off  the  Johnstown  settle 
ment.' 

" '  Where  do  you  lodge  to  night  ?'  inquired  the  colonel. 

" '  At  the  mouth  of  Schenevas  creek,'  was  the  reply.  Then 
shaking  hands  with  them,  he  bid  them  good  speed  and  proceeded 
on  his  journey. 

"  He  had  gone  but  little  way  from  them,  before  he  took  a  cir 
cuit  through  the  woods,  a  distance  of  eight  or  ten  miles,  on  to  the 
head  of  Charlotte  river,  where  were  a  number  of  men  making 
sugar ;  ordered  them  to  take  their  arms,  two  days  provisions,  a 
canteen  of  rum,  and  a  rope,  and  meet  him  down  the  Charlotte,  at 
a  small  clearing  called  Evan's  Place,  at  a  certain  hour  that  after 
noon  ;  then  rode  with  all  speed  through  the  woods  to  Harpers 
field ;  collected  all  the  men  there  making  sugar,  and  being  armed 


224  ADVENTURES  OF  COL.  HARPER. 

and  victualed,  each  man  with  his  rope,  laid  his  course  for  Char 
lotte.  When  he  arrived  at  Evan's  Place,  he  found  the  Charlotte 
men  in  good  spirits,  and  when  he  mustered  his  men,  there  were 
fifteen,  including  himself,  exactly  the  same  number  as  there  were 
of  the  enemy ;  then  the  colonel  made  his  men  acquainted  with 
the  enterprise. 

"  They  marched  down  the  river  a  little  distance,  and  then  bent 
their  course  accross  the  hill  to  the  mouth  of  Schenevas  creek ; 
when  they  arrived  at  the  brow  of  the  hill,  where  they  could  over 
look  the  valley  where  the  Schenevas  flows,  they  cast  their  eyes 
down  upon  the  flats,  and  discovered  the  fire  around  which  the 
enemy  lay  encamped. 

"  *  There  they  are,'  said  Col.  Harper.  They  descended  with 
great  stillness,  forded  the  creek,  which  was  breast  high  to  a  man ; 
after  advancing  a  few  hundred  yards,  they  took  some  refreshment, 
and  then  prepared  for  the  contest.  Daylight  was  just  beginning 
to  appear  in  the  east.  When  they  came  to  the  enemy,  they  lay 
in  a  circle  with  their  feet  towards  the  fire,  in  a  deep  sleep ;  their 
arms  and  all  their  implements  of  death,  were  all  stocked  up  ac 
cording  to  the  Indian  custom,  when  they  lay  themselves  down 
for  the  night ;  these  the  colonel  secured  by  carrying  them  off  a 
distance,  and  laying  them  down.  Then  each  man  taking  his  rope 
m  his  hand,  placed  himself  by  his  fellow  ;  the  colonel  rapped  his 
man  softly,  and  said,  '  Come,  it  is  time  for  men  of  business  to  be 
on  their  way,'  and  then  each  one  sprang  upon  his  man,  and  after 
a  most  severe  struggle  they  secured  the  whole  of  the  enemy. 

"  After  they  were  all  safely  bound,  and  the  morning  had  so  far 
advanced,  that  they  could  discover  objects  distinctly,  says  the  In 
dian  Peter,  '  Ha !  Col.  Harper  !  now  I  know  thee — why  did  I 
oot  know  thee  yesterday  ?' 


NARROW  ESCAPE  OF    COL.  SNIPES.  225 

" '  Some  policy  in  war,  Peter.' 

u '  Ah,  me  find  em  so  now.' 

"  The  colonel  marched  the  men  to  Albany,  delivered  them  up 
to  the  commanding  officer,  and  by  this  well  executed  feat  of  valor, 
he  saved  the  Johnstown  settlement  from  a  wanton  destruction," 


NARROW   ESCAPE   OF    COLONEL   SNIPES. 

DURING  the  revolutionary  contest  in  South  Carolina,  the  most 
malignant  enmity  existed  between  the  whigs  and  tories,  which 
often  occasioned  scenes  and  incidents  of  the  most  ferocious  and 
terrible  nature.  One  of  these  which  occurred  to  Col.  Snipes  of 
Marion's  brigade,  we  extract  from  the  "  Life  of  Marion,"  by 
Simms. 

"  Col.  Snipes  was  a  Carolinian,  of  remarkable  strength  and  cour 
age.  He  was  equally  distinguished  for  his  vindictive  hatred  of 
the  tories.  He  had  suffered  some  domestic  injuries  at  their  hands, 
and  he  was  one  who  never  permitted  himself  to  forgive.  His 
temper  was  sanguinary  in  the  extreme,  and  led  him,  in  his  treat 
inent  of  the  loyalists,  to  such  ferocities  as  subjected  him,  on  more 
than  one  occasion,  to  the  harshest  rebuke  of  his  commander.  It 
is  not  certain  at  what  period  in  the  war  the  following  occurrence 
took  place,  but  it  was  on  one  of  those  occasions  when  the  partisan 
militia  claimed  a  sort  of  periodical  privilege  of  abandoning  their 
general  to  look  after  their  families  and  domestic  interests.  Avail 
ing  himself  of  this  privilege,  Snipes  pursued  his  way  to  his  plan 
tation.  His  route  was  a  circuitous  one,  but  it  is  probable  that  he 
pursued  it  with  little  caution.  He  was  more  distinguished  for  an- 


226  NARROW  ESCAPE  OF  COL.  SNIPES. 

dacity  than  prudence.  The  Tories  fell  upon  his  trail,  which  they 
followed  with  the  keen  avidity  of  the  sleuth-hound.  Snipes 
reached  his  plantation  in  safety,  unconscious  of  pursuit.  Having 
examined  the  homestead  and  received  an  account  of  all  things 
done  in  his  absence,  from  a  faithful  driver,  and  lulled  into  se 
curity  by  the  seeming  quiet  and  silence  of  the  neighborhood, 
he  retired  to  rest,  and,  after  the  fatigues  of  the  day,  soon  fell 
into  a  profound  sleep.  From  this  he  was  awakened  by  the  ab 
rupt  entrance  and  cries  of  his  driver.  The  faithful  negro  apprised 
him,  in  terror,  of  the  approach  of  the  Tories.  They  were  already 
on  the  plantation.  His  vigilance  alone  prevented  them  from 
taking  his  master  in  bed.  Snipes,  starting  up,  proposed  to  take 
shelter  in  the  barn,  but  the  driver  pointed  to  the  flames  already 
bursting  from  that  building.  He  had  barely  time  to  leave  the 
house,  covered  only  by  his  night  shirt,  and  by  the  counsel  of  the 
negro,  to  fly  to  the  cover  of  a  thick  copse  of  briars  and  brambles, 
within  fifty  yards  of  the  dwelling,  when  the  Tories  surrounded  it. 
The  very  task  of  penetrating  this  copse,  so  as  to  screen  himself 
from  sight,  effectually  removed  the  thin  garment  which  concealed 
his  nakedness.  The  shirt  was  torn  from  his  back  by  the  briars,  and 
the  skin  shared  in  its  injuries.  But,  once  there,  he  lay  effectually 
concealed  from  sight.  Ordinary  conjecture  would  scarcely  have 
supposed  that  any  animal  larger  than  a  rabbit  would  have  sought 
or  found  shelter  in  such  a  region.  The  Tories  immediately  seized 
upon  the  negro  and  demanded  his  master,  at  the  peril  of  his  life. 
Knowing  and  fearing  the  courage  and  the  arm  of  Snipes,  they  did 
not  enter  the  dwelling,  but  adopted  the  less  valorous  mode  of  set 
ting  it  on  fire,  and,  with  pointed  muskets,  surrounded  it,  in  waiting 
for  the  moment  when  their  victim  should  emerge.  He,  within 
a  few  steps  of  them,  heard  their  threats  and  expectations,  and  be- 


NARROW   ESCAPE  OF  COL.  SNIPES.  227 

held  all  their  proceedings.  The  house  was  consumed,  and  the  in 
tense  heat  of  the  fire  subjected  our  partisan,  in  his  place  of  retreat, 
to  such  torture,  as  none  but  the  most  dogged  hardihood  could  have 
endured  without  complaint.  The  skin  was  peeled  from  his  body 
in  many  places,  and  the  blisters  were  shown  long  after,  to  persons 
who  are  still  living.  But  Snipes  too  well  knew  his  enemies,  and 
what  he  had  to  expect  at  their  hands,  to  make  any  confession. 
He  bore  patiently  the  torture,  which  was  terribly  increased,  when 
finding  themselves  at  fault,  the  Tories  brought  forward  the  faith 
ful  negro  who  had  thus  far  saved  his  master,  and  determined  to 
extort  from  him,  in  the  halter,  the  secret  of  his  hiding-place.  But 
the  courage  and  fidelity  of  the  negro  proved  superior  to  the  ter 
rors  of  death.  Thrice  was  he  run  up  the  tree,  and  choked 
nearly  to  strangulation,  but  in  vain.  His  capability  to  endure 
proved  superior  to  the  will  of  the  Tories  to  inflict,  and  he  was  at 
length  let  down,  half  dead, — as,  in  truth,  ignorant  of  the  secret 
which  they  desired  to  extort.  What  were  the  terrors  of  Snipes 
in  all  this  trial  ?  What  his  feelings  of  equal  gratitude  and  appre 
hension  ?  How  noble  was  the  fidelity  of  the  slave — based  upon 
what  gentle  and  affectionate  relationship  between  himself  and 
master — probably  from  boyhood  !  Yet  this  is  but  one  of  a  thou 
sand  such  attachments,  all  equally  pure  and  elevated,  and  main 
tained  through^  not  dissimilar  perils." 


228  A  SCENE  IN  THE  FOREST. 


A  SCENE   IN   THE   FOREST. 

"  IN  the  early  part  of  the  war,  a  sergeant  and  twelve  armed 
men  undertook  a  journey  through  the  wilderness,  in  the  state  of 
New  Hampshire.  Their  route  was  remote  from  any  settlements. 
and  they  were  under  the  necessity  of  encamping  over  night  in 
the  woods.  Nothing  material  happened  the  first  day  of  their  ex 
cursion  ;  but  early  in  the  afternoon  of  the  second,  they,  from  an 
ernminence  discovered  a  body  of  armed  Indians  advancing  to 
wards  them,  whose  number  rather  exceeded  their  own.  As  soon 
as  the  whites  were  perceived  by  their  red  brethren,  the  latter  made 
signals,  and  the  two  parties  approached  each  other  in  an  amicable 
manner.  The  Indians  appeared  to  be  much  gratified  with  meet 
ing  the  sergeant  and  his  men,  whom  they  observed  they  consid 
ered  as  their  protectors ;  said  they  belonged  to  a  tribe  which  had 
raised  the  hatchet  with  zeal  in  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  were  de 
termined  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  repel  the  common  enemy 
They  shook  hands  in  friendship,  and  it  was,  '  How  d'ye  do  pro, 
how  d'ye  do  pro]  that  being  their  pronunciation  of  the  word 
brother.  When  they  had  conversed  with  each  other,  for  some 
time,  and  exchanged  mutual  good  wishes,  they  at  length  separa 
ted,  and  each  party  travelled  in  a  different  direction.  After  pro 
ceeding  to  the  distance  of  a  mile  or  more,  the  sergeant,  who  was 
acquainted  with  all  the  different  tribes,  and  knew  on  which  side 
of  the  contest  they  were  respectively  ranked,  halted  his  men  and 
addressed  them  in  the  following  words  : 

" '  My  brave  companions,  we  must  use  the  utmost  caution,  or 
this  night  may  be  our  last.  Should  we  not  make  some  extraor 
dinary  exertions  to  defend  ourselves,  to-morrow's  sun  may  find  us 


A  SCENE   IN  THE  FOREST.  229 

sleeping  never  to  wake.  You  are  surprised  comrades,  at  my 
words,  and  your  anxiety  will  not  be  lessened,  when  I  inform  you, 
that  we  have  just  passed  our  most  inveterate  foe,  who,,  under  the 
mask  of  pretended  friendship  you  have  witnessed,  would  lull  us 
to  security,  and  by  such  means,  in  the  unguarded  moments  of  our 
midnight  slumber,  without  resistance,  seal  our  fate.' 

"  The  men  with  astonishment  listened  to  this  short  harrangue  ; 
and  their  surprise  was  greater,  as  not  one  of  them  had  enter 
tained  the  suspicion  but  they  had  just  encountered  friends.  They 
all  immediately  resolved  to  enter  into  some  scheme,  for  their  mu 
tual  preservation  and  destruction  of  their  enemies.  By  the  propo 
sal  of  their  leader,  the  following  plan  was  adopted  and  executed : 

"  The  spot  selected  for  their  night's  encampment,  was  near  a 
stream  of  water,  which  served  to  cover  their  rear.  They  felled  a 
large  tree,  before  which  on  the  approach  of  night,  a  brilliant  fire 
was  lighted.  Each  individual  cut  a  log  of'  wood  about  the  size 
of  his  body,  rolled  it  nicely  in  his  blanket,  placed  his  hat  upon 
the  extremity,  and  laid  it  before  the  lire  ;  that  the  enemy  might 
be  deceived,  and  mistake  it  for  a  man.  After  logs  equal  in  num 
ber  to  the  sergeant's  party  were  thus  fitted  out,  and  so  artfully 
arranged,  that  they  might  be  easily  mistaken  for  so  many  soldiers, 
the  men  with  loaded  muskets  placed  themselves  behind  the  fallen 
tree,  by  which  time  the  shades  of  evening  began  to  close  around 
The  fire  was  supplied  in  fuel,  and  kept  burning  brilliantly  until 
late  in  the  evening,  when  it  was  suffered  to  decline.  The  critical 
time  was  now  approaching,  when  an  attack  might  be  expected 
from  the  Indians  ;  but  the  sergeant's  men  rested  in  their  place  of 
concealment  with  great  anxiety,  till  near  midnight,  without  per 
ceiving  any  movement  of  the  enemy. 


230 


A  SCENE   IN  THE  FOREST. 


"  At  length  a  tall  Indian  was  discovered  through  the  glimmer 
ing  of  the  fire,  cautiously  moving  towards  them,  making  no  noise, 
and  apparently  using  every  means  in  his  power  to  conceal  him 
self  from  any  one  about  the  camp.  For  a  time  his  actions  showed 
him  to  be  suspicious,  that  a  guard  might  be  stationed  to  watch 
any  unusual  appearance,  who  would  give  the  alarm  in  case  of 
danger ;  but  all  appearing  quiet,  he  ventured  forward  more  boldly, 
rested  upon  his  toes,  and  was  distinctly  seen  to  move  his  finger  as 
he  numbered  each  log  of  wood,  or  what  he  supposed  to  be  a  hu 
man  being  quietly  enjoying  repose.  To  satisfy  himself  more 
fully,  as  to  the  number,  he  counted  them  over  a  second  time,  and 
cautiously  retired.  He  was  succeeded  by  another  Indian,  who 
went  through  the  same  movements,  and  retired  in  the  same  man 
ner.  Soon  after  the  whole  party,  sixteen  in  number,  were  dis 
covered,  approaching,  and  greedily  eyeing  their  supposed  victims. 
The  feelings  of  the  sergeant's  men  can  better  be  imagined  than 
described,  when  they  saw  the  base  and  cruel  purpose  of  their  en 
emies,  who  were  now  so  near,  that  they  could  scarcely  be  re 
strained  from  firing  upon  them.  The  plan  however,  of  the  sergeant 
was  to  have  his  men  remain  silent  in  their  places  of  concealment 
till  the  muskets  of  the  savages  were  discharged,  that  their  own 
fire  might  be  more  effectual,  and  opposition  less  formidable. 

"  Their  suspense  was  not  of  long  duration.  The  Indians,  in  a 
body,  cautiously  approached,  till  within  a  short  distance,  they 
then  halted,  took  deliberate  aim,  discharged  their  pieces  upon  in 
animate  logs,  gave  the  dreadful  war  whoop,  and  instantly  rushed 
forward,  with  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  in  hand,  to  despatch 
the  living,  and  obtain  the  scalps  of  the  dead.  As  soon  as  they 
had  collected  in  close  order,  more  effectually  to  execute  their  hor 
rid  intentions,  the  party  of  the  sergeant,  with  unerring  aim,  dis- 


A    GALLANT    COMBAT.  231 

charged  their  pieces,  not  on  logs  of  wood,  but  perfidious  savages, 
not  one  of  whom  escaped  destruction  by  the  snare  into  which 
their  cowardly  and  blood-thirsty  dispositions  had  led  them." 


A  GALLANT  COMBAT. 

SOON  'after  the  capture  of  Charleston,  Capt.  Watson,  at  the 
head  of  a  party  of  mounted  Rangers,  conceived  the  idea  of  sur 
prising  a  party  of  Tories  encamped  near  Orangeburgh.  He  was 
joined  by  William  Butler,  who  commanded  a  small  body  of  ca 
valry,  some  fifteen  in  number.  Butler  was  burning  with  the  de 
sire  to  avenge  the  most  brutal  and  atrocious  murder  of  his  father, 
which  had  occurred  a  short  time  before.  He  had  been  surround 
ed  in  a  house  by  a  large  body  of  Tories,  and  in  view  of  the  supe 
rior  numbers,  himself  and  party  had  capitulated,  when  they  were 
marched  out  of  the  house  one  by  one,  and  deliberately  cut  to 
pieces.  The  elder  Butler,  was  singled  out  by  the  blood-thirsty 
leader  of  the  party,  who  slew  him  with  his  own  hand.  Fired  by 
this  remembrance,  young  Butler,  afterward  so  distinguished  in 
the  annals  of  the  south,  let  no  opportunity  pass  for  wreaking  his 
vengeance  on  the  enemy.  On  this  occasion  the  whole  party, 
under  Watson,  set  out,  at  near  sundown,  and  rode  rapidly  towards 
their  destination.  On  their  route  they  captured  a  Tory,  who  un 
fortunately  afterwards  escaped,  and  thus  their  hope  of  meeting 
%their  adversaries  unprepared,  was  destroyed.  Watson  prudently 
advocated  for  return,  but  the  fiery  Butler,  still  mourning  his  mur 
dered  parent's  memory,  earnestly  urged  an  advance,  and  avowed 
his  determination  to  proceed  with  his  own  command,  whether  as- 


232  A.   GALLANT    COMBAT. 

sisted  by  Watson  or  not.  Watson  was  of  too  chivalrous  a  nature 
to  turn  his  back  upon  his  friend,  and  they,  therefore,  hurried  for 
ward  upon  their  enterprise.  It  was  after  daylight  when  they  ar 
rived  near  the  place  where  they  expected  to  find  the  Tory  encamp 
ment.  They  descried  two  men  standing  alone,  and  Butler,  Wat 
son,  and  Varney,  a  sergeant  of  renowned  courage,  rode  up  to  arrest 
them.  Suddenly  Watson  «i-ried  out,  "  Beware  !  the  whole  body 
of  the  enemy  are  at  hand  !"  The  whole  party  were  close  at  his 
heels,  when  suddenly  the  Tories,  sprang  'from  their  ambuscade, 
and  poured  into  the  devoted  body  of  patriots,  a  destructive  and 
terrible  fire.  The  heroic  Watson,  and  the  intrepid  Varney,  with 
several  others,  tumbled  wounded  from  their  horses.  Butler,  alone 
of  all  the  officers,  was  unwounded.  "  Suffer  me  not,"  exclaimed 
Watson,  to  him,  "  to  fall  into  their  hands."  Butler  sprang  for 
ward,  and  seizing  the  bodies  of  his  friends,  unmindful  of  the  fire 
poured  in  by  the  enemy,  he  triumphantly  bore  them  into  the 
midst  of  his  own  party. 

It  was  seen  that  the  Tories  doubled  the  Whigs,  while  to  give 
them  a  greater  preponderance,  a  part  of  the  Whigs  took  flight 
and  fled.  But  those  that  remained,  were  every  one  a  hero,  and 
prepared  to  conquer  or  fall.  To  add  to  the  desperation  of  their 
situation,  their  ammunition,  in  the  conflict  that  ensued,  soon  gave 
out,  and  the  Royalists  began  to  advance  upon  them.  Butler, 
however,  was  equal  to  the  emergency.  He  formed  his  men  in 
compact  order,  and  placing  himself  at  their  head,  charged  impe 
tuously  on  the  enemy.  With  nothing  but  their  swords  and  their 
high  courage  to  support  them,  the  heroic  band  hurled  themselves 
upon  their  adversaries,  and  with  so  much  violence  and  impetuous 
fury  was  the  crash,  that  the  enemy  were  staggered,  and  began  to 
fall  into  confusion.  Butler's  sword  swept  everything  before  him, 


A  GALLANT    ENTERPRISE.  233 

and  fell  upon  his  opponent  like  a  thunderlolt,  each  blow  nerved 
by  the  recollection  of  his  murdered  father.  The  little  band  bore 
their  antagonists  along,  who,  in  vain,  though  far  superior  in  num 
ber,  endeavored  to  bear  up  against  their  assailants.  They  began 
to  yield,  and  to  seek  safety  in  flight ;  their  resistance  grew  weak, 
and  Butler  following  up  his  charge  with  still  greater  resolution, 
they  were  driven  into  the  swamp  in  their  rear,  and  the  whigs  re 
mained  master  of  the  field.  It  had  been  a  hard  fought  conflict 
against  a  superior  number,  and  the  victory  was  gallantly  and  hero 
ically  achieved.  But  alas !  it  was  attained  by  a  fearful  price. 
Those  gallant  heroes,  Watson  and  Varney,  lay  weltering  in  their 
blood.  As  the  party  passed  the  place  where  they  lay,  Varney,  by 
an  effort,  raised  himself  on  one  arm — waved  his  hand,  while  a 
gleam  of  triumph  passed  athwart  his  countenance — fell  back,  and 
his  book  of  life  was  closed.  They  dug  with  their  swords,  soldier's 
graves,  and  buried  them  on  the  field  of  victory.* 


A  GALLANT  ENTERPRISE. 

"  Ox  the  river  Ogechee,  in  the  state  of  Georgia,  was  stationed 
Captain  French,  with  a  detachment  of  about  forty  British  regu 
lars.  At  the  same  place,  lay  five  British  vessels ;  of  these,  four 
were  armed,  the  largest  mounting  fourteen  guns. 

"  Col.  John  White,  of  the  Georgia  line,  meditating  the  capture 
of  this  station,  was  able  to  call  to  his  assistance  but  four  indi 
viduals,  Captain  Etholen,  and  three  privates.  Resolute  in  their 

*  Garden. 


234  A    GALLANT    ENTERPRISE. 

purpose,  notwithstanding  the  disparity  of  force  they  would  be 
obliged  to  encounter,  these  five  soldiers  of  fortune  boldly  ad 
vanced  to  the  enemy's  post. 

"  Having  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  of  it  at  night,  they 
kindled  numerous  fires,  the  light  of  which  reached  their  adversa 
ries,  so  arranging  them,  as  to  represent,  by  them,  the  lines  of  a 
considerable  camp.  To  render  their  stratagem  the  more  impo 
sing,  they  then  rode  hastily  about,  in  various  directions,  in  imita 
tion  of  the  staff  of  an  army,  disposing  their  sentinels,  and  issuing 
their  orders  in  a  loud  voice. 

"  The  artifice  succeeded,  and  Captain  French  supposed  that  he 
was  menaced  by  a  large  body  of  Americans.  Accordingly,  on 
being  summoned  by  Col.  White,  he  surrendered  his  detachment, 
the  crews  of  the  five  vessels,  amounting  to  nearly  fifty  in  number, 
with  the  vessels  themselves,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  stand  of 
arms. 

"But  the  difficulty  of  the  enterprising  captors  was  not  yet 
terminated.  The  British  soldiers  and  sailors  might  discover  the 
imposition  that  had  been  practised  on  them,  and  attempt  a 
rescue ;  and  five  armed  men  were  not  sufficient  to  restrain,  by 
force,  near  a  hundred  without  arms.  The  same  genius,  however  ? 
that  had  planned  the  first  part  of  the  adventure,  was  competent 
to  the  completion  of  it. 

"  With  great  seriousness,  and  some  emotion  in  his  manner, 
Col.  White  told  Capt.  French,  that  in  consequence  of  certain 
recent  enormities,  perpetrated  by  a  detachment  of  British  and 
royalists,  his  troops  were  so  deeply  exasperated,  that  he  was  afraid 
they  would  advance  on  the  captured  party,  and  in  violation  of  his 
commands  put  them  to  death  :  that  he  had,  already,  experienced 
great  difficulty  in  restraining  them;  and  should  they  be  placed 


A    GALLANT     ENTERPRISE. 


235 


as  a  guard  over  the  prisoners,  he  was  convinced  their  rage  would 
become  ungovernable.  He,  therefore,  directed  the  British  Captain 
to  follow,  with  his  whole  party,  Capt.  Etholen,  and  two  of  the 
soldiers  as  guides,  who  would  conduct  them,  without  delay,  to  a 
place  of  safety,  and  good  quarters.  For  his  kindness  and  hu 
manity,  Col.  White  received  the  thanks  of  his  prisoners,  who 
immediately  marched  off,  in  a  body,  with  their  small  escort? 
anxious  to  hasten  their  pace,  lest  the  enraged  Americans  should 
advance  on  them,  and  cut  them  to  pieces. 

"  The  Colonel  and  one  soldier  remained  behind,  with  a  view,  as 
lie  informed  Captain  French,  to  restrain  by  his  presence  any 
improper  violence  his  troops  might  be  inclined  to  offer,  and  to 
conduct  their  march  at  some  distance  in  the  rear.  Meanwhile,  he 
collected  as  expeditiously  as  possible,  a  body  of  militia  from  the 
neighboring  district.  Placing  himself  at  the  head  of  these,  who 
were  mostly  mounted  on  good  horses,  he  soon  overtook  his 
prisoners,  whom  he  found  safe  under  their  guides,  and  rejoicing 
in  the  generous  treatment  they  had  experienced. 

"  This  affair  of  partisan  gallantry,  though  not  very  momentous 
m  its  consequences,  was,  notwithstanding,  so  extraordinary  in  its 
nature,  conducted  with  so  much  address,  marked  with  such  a 
chivalrous  spirit  of  enterprise,  and  so  honorable  to  the  officers 
who  conceived  and  executed  it,  that  it  should  be  much  more 
generally  known  and  admired  than  it  is." 


236  NARRATIVE    OP   THE 


NARRATIVE  OF  THE  BARONESS   RE1DESEL. 

EVERY  American  reader  is  familiar  with  this  lady's  name.  She 
was  the  lady  of  one  of  Burgoyne's  Major-Generals,  a  distinguished 
German  officer,  and  with  two  infant  children,  accompanied  her 
husband  in  the  disastrous  campaign  of  Burgoyne.  She  was  a 
beautiful  and  accomplished  woman,  and  the  devotion  which 
prompted  her  to  follow  her  lord  to  the  camp  and  tented  field,  and 
the  sufferings  and  privations  she  there  was  compelled  to  undergo, 
have  always  excited  the  admiration  and  sympathy  of  the  world. 
The  sufferings  which  beset  the  English  army  on  their  retreat, 
after  the  battle  of  Saratoga,  exceeds  the  power  of  words  to  de 
scribe.  But  no  history  gives  so  vivid  and  powerful  a  picture  of 
the  retreat,  as  the  simple  and  unaffected  narrative  of  Baroness 
Reidesel.  General  Wilkinson,  who  introduces  her  account  into 
his  memoirs,  remarks,  that  she  suffered  more  than  the  horrors  of 
the  grave,  in  their  most  frightful  aspect ;  and  he  adds,  that  he 
had  "  more  than  once  seen  her  charming  blue  eyes  bedewed  with 
tears  at  the  recital  of  her  sufferings." 

"  As  we  had  to  march  still  further,  I  ordered  a  large  calash  to 
be  built,  capable  of  holding  my  three  children,  myself  and  two 
female  servants ;  and  in  this  manner  we  moved  with  the  army  in 
the  midst  of  the  soldiery,  who  were  very  merry,  singing  songs, 
and  panting  for  action.  We  had  to  travel  through  almost  im 
passable  woods,  and  a  most  picturesque  and  beautiful  country, 
which  was  abandoned  by  its  inhabitants,  who  had  repaired  to  the 
standard  of  General  Gates  :  they  added  much  to  his  strength,  as 
they  were  all  good  marksmen,  and  fitted  by  habit  For  the  species 
of  warfare  the  contending  parties  were  then  engaged  in  ;  and 


BARONESS    REIDESEL,  237 

the  love  of  their  country  inspired  them  with  more  than  ordinary 
courage.  The  army  had  shortly  to  encamp.  I  generally  re 
mained  about  an  hour's  march  in  the  rear,  where  I  received  daily 
visits  from  my  husband.  The  army  was  frequently  engaged  in 
small  affairs,  but  nothing  of  importance  took  place  ;  and  as  the 
season  was  getting  cold,  Major  "Williams,  of  the  artillery,  pro 
posed  to  have  a  house  built  for  me,  with  a  chimney,  observing 
that  it  would  not  cost  more  than  five  or  six  guineas,  and  that  the 
frequent  change  of  quarters  was  very  inconvenient  to  me  :  it  was 
accordingly  built,  and  was  called  the  Block-house,  from  its  square 
form,  and  the  resemblance  it  bore  to  those  buildings. 

"  On  the  19th  of  September,  an  affair  happened,  which,  though 
it  turned  out  to  our  advantage,  yet  obliged  us  to  halt  at  a  place 
called  Freeman's  Farm  ;  I  was  an  eye-witness  to  the  whole  affair, 
and  as  rny  husband  was  engaged  in  it,  I  was  full  of  anxiety,  and 
trembled  at  every  shot  I  heard.  I  saw  a  great  number  of  the 
wounded,  and,  what  added  to  the  distress  of  the  scene,  three  of 
them  were  brought  into  the  house  in  which  I  took  shelter.  One 
was  a  Major  Harnage,  of  the  sixty -second  British  regiment,  the 
husband  of  a  lady  of  my  acquaintance  ;  another  was  a  lieutenant, 
married  to  a  lady  with  whom  I  had  the  honor  to  be  on  terms  of 
intimacy ;  and  the  third  was  an  officer  of  the  name  of  Young. 

"  In  a  short  time  afterwards  I  heard  groans  proceeding  from  a 
room  near  mine,  and  knew  they  must  have  been  occasioned  by 
the  sufferings  of  the  last  mentioned  officer,  who  lay  writhing  with 
his  wounds. 

"  His  mournful  situation  interested  me  much ;  and  the  more 
so,  because  the  recollection  of  many  polite  attentions,  received 
from  a  family  of  that  name  during  my  visit  to  Englund,  was  still 
forcibly  impressed  on  my  mind.  I  sent  to  him,  and  begged  him 


238  NARRATIVE    OF    THE 

to  accept  my  best  services,  and  afterwards  furnished  him  with 
food  and  refreshments ;  he  expressed  a  great  desire  to  see  me, 
politely  calling  me  his  benefactress.  I  accordingly  visited  him, 
and  found  him  lying  on  a  little  straw,  as  he  had  lost  his  equip 
age.  He  was  a  young  man  eighteen  or  nineteen  years  of  age, 
and  really  the  beloved  nephew  of  the  Mr.  Young,  the  head  of  the 
family  I  have  mentioned,  and  the  only  son  of  his  parents.  This 
last  circumstance  was  what  he  lamented  most ;  as  to  his  pain,  he 
thought  lightly  of  it.  He  had  lost  much  blood,  and  it  was 
thought  necessary  to  amputate  the  leg,  but  this  he  would  not 
consent  to,  and  of  course  a  mortification  took  place.  I  sent  him 
cushions  and  coverings,  and  my  female  friends  sent  him  a  mat 
tress.  I  redoubled  my  attention  to  him,  and  visited  him  every 
day,  for  which  I  received  a  thousand  wishes  for  my  happiness. 
At  last  his  limb  was  amputated,  but  it  was  too  late,  and  he  died 
the  following  day.  As  he  lay  in  the  next  room  to  me,  and  the 
partition  was  very  thin,  I  distinctly  heard  his  last  sigh,  when  his 
immortal  part  quitted  its  frail  tenement. 

"  But  severer  trials  awaited  us,  and  on  the  7th  of  October,  our 
misfortunes  began.  I  was  at  breakfast  with  my  husband,  and 
heard  that  something  was  intended.  On  the  same  day  I  expected 
Generals  Burgoyne,  Phillips,  and  Frazer,  to  dine  with  us.  I  saw 
a  great  Ynovement  among  the  troops  ;  my  husband  told  me  it 
was  merely  a  reconnoisance,  which  gave  me  no  concern,  as  it  often 
happened.  I  walked  out  of  the  house,  and  met  several  Indians 
in  their  war  dresses,  with  guns  in  their  hands.  When  I  asked 
them  where  they  were  going,  they  cried  out,  "war!  war!'1'' 
meaning  that  they  were  going  to  battle.  This  filled  me  with 
apprehension,  and  I  had  scarcely  got  home  before  I  heard  re- 


BARONESS    REIDE8EL.  239 

ports  of  cannon  and  musketry,  which  grew  louder  by  degrees,  till 
at  last  the  noise  became  excessive. 

About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  instead  of  the  guests 
whom  I  expected,  General  Frazer  was  brought  on  a  litter,  mor 
tally  wounded.  The  table,  which  was  already  set,  was  instantly 
removed,  and  a  bed  placed  in  its  stead  for  the  wounded  general. 
I  sat  trembling  in  a  corner  ;  the  noise  grew  louder,  and  the  alarm 
increased ;  the  thought  that  my  husband  might  perhaps  be 
brought  in,  wounded  in  the  same  manner,  was  terrible  to  me,  and 
distressed  me  exceedingly.  General  Frazer  said  to  the  surgeon, 
'  Tell  me  if  my  wound  is  mortal ;  do  not  flatter  me?  The  ball 
had  passed  through  his  body,  and,  unhappily  for  the  general,  he 
had  eaten  a  very  hearty  breakfast,  by  which  the  stomach  was 
distended,  and  the  ball,  as  the  surgeon  said,  had  passed  through 
it.  I  heard  him  often  exclaim  with  a  sigh,  "  0  fatal  ambition! 
Poor  General  Burgoyne  I  Oh  !  my  poor  wife  /"  He  was  asked 
if  he  had  any  request  to  make,  to  which  he  replied,  that,  '  If 
General  Burgoyne  mould  permit  it,  he  should  like  to  be  buried,  at 
six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  on  the  top  of  a  mountain,  in  a  redoubt 
which  had  been  built  there.1 

"  I  did  not  know  which  way  to  turn  ;  all  the  other  rooms  were 
full  of  sick.  Towards  evening  I  saw  my  husband  coming ;  then 
I  forgot  all  my  sorrows,  and  thanked  God  that  he  was  spared  to 
me.  He  ate  in  great  haste,  with  me  and  his  aid-de-camp,  behind 
the  house.  We  had  been  told  that  we  had  the  advantage  over 
the  enemy,  but  the  sorrowful  faces  I  beheld  told  a  different  tale ; 
and  before  my  husband  went  away  he  took  me  aside,  and  said 
everything  was  going  very  badly,  and  that  I  must  keep  myself  in 
readiness  to  leave  the  place,  but  not  to  mention  it  to  any  ono. 


240  NARRATIVE    OP    THE 

I  made  the  pretence  that  I  would  move  the  next  morning  into 
my  new  house,  and  had  everything  packed  up  ready. 

"  Lady  AcMand  had  a  tent  not  far  from  our  house  ;  in  this 
she  slept,,  and  the  rest  of  the  day  she  was  in  the  camp.  All  of  a 
sudden  a  man  came  in  to  tell  her  that  her  husband  was  mor 
tally  wounded,  and  taken  prisoner.  On  hearing  this  she  became 
very  miserable. — We  comforted  her  by  telling  her  that  the  wound 
was  very  slight,  and  advised  her  to  go  over  to  her  husband,  to 
do  which  she  would  certainly  obtain  permission,  and  then  she 
could  attend  him  herself.  She  was  a  charming  woman,  and  very 
fond  of  him.  I  spent  much  of  the  night  in  comforting  her,  and 
then  went  again  to  my  children,  whom  I  had  put  to  bed. 

"  I  could  not  go  to  sleep,  as  I  had  General  Frazer  and  all  the 
other  wounded  gentlemen  in  my  room,  and  I  was  sadly  afraid 
my  children  would  wake,  and  by  their  crying  disturb  the  dying 
man  in  his  last  moments,  who  often  addressed  me  and  apologized 
''for  the  trouble  he  gave  me?  About  three  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing,  I  was  told  that  he  could  not  hold  out  much  longer  ;  I  had 
desired  to  be  informed  of  the  near  approach  of  this  sad  crisis,  and 
I  then  wrapped  up  my  children  in  their  clothes,  and  went  with 
them  into  the  room  below.  About  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning 
he  died. 

"  A  fter  he  was  laid  out,  and  his  corpse  wrapped  up  in  a  sheet. 
we  came  again  into  the  room,  and  had  this  sorrowful  sight  before 
us  the  whole  day ;  and,  to  add  to  the  melancholy  scene,  almost 
every  moment  some  officer  of  my  acquaintance  was  brought  in 
wounded.  The  cannonade  commenced  again ;  a  retreat  was 
spoken  of,  but  not  the  smallest  motion  was  made  towards  it. 
About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  I  saw  the  house,  which  had 
just  been  built  for  me,  in  flames,  and  the  enemy  was  now  not 


BARONESS     RE1DESEL.  241 

far  oft'.  We  knew  that  General  Burgoyue  would  not  refuse  the 
last  request  of  General  Frazer,  though,  by  his  acceding  to  it,  an 
unnecessary  delay  was  occasioned,  by  which  the  inconvenience  of 
the  army  was  much  increased.  At  six  o'clock  the  corpse  was 
brought  out,  and  we  saw  all  the  generals  attend  it  to  the  moun 
tain.  The  chaplain,  Mr.  Brudenell,  performed  the  funeral  service, 
rendered  unusually  solemn  and  awful  from  its  being  accompanied 
by  constant  peals  from  the  enemy's  artillery.  Many  cannon-balls 
flew  close  by  me,  but  I  had  my  eyes  directed  towards  the  moun 
tain,*  where  my  husband  was  standing,  amidst  the  fire  of  the 
enemy  ;  and,  of  course,  I  could  not  think  of  my  own  danger. 

"  General  Gates  afterwards  said,  that,  if  he  had  known  it  had 
been  a  funeral,  he  would  not  have  permitted  it  to  be  fired  on. 

"  As  soon  as  the  funeral  service  was  finished,  and  the  grave  of 
General  Frazer  closed,  an  order  was  issued  that  the  army  should 
retreat.  My  calash  was  prepared,  but  I  would  not  consent  to  go 
before  the  troops.  Major  Harnage,  though  suffering  from  his 
wounds,  crept  from  his  bed,  as  he  did  not  wish  to  remain  in  the 
hospital,  which  was  left  with  a  flag  of  truce.  When  General 
Reidesel  saw  me  in  the  midst  of  danger,  he  ordered  my  women 
and  children  to  be  brought  into  the  calash,  and  intimated  to  me 
to  depart  without  delay.  I  still  prayed  to  remain,  but  my  hus 
band,  knowing  my  weak  side,  said,  *  well  then,  your  children 
must  go,  that  at  least  they  may  be  safe  from  danger.'  I  then 
agreed  to  enter  the  calash  with  them,  and  we  set  off  at  eight 
o'clock. 

"  The  retreat  was  ordered  to  be  conducted   with  the  greatest 


*  The  height  occupied  by  Burgoyne  on  the  18th,  which  ran  parallel  with 
the  river  till  it  approached  General  Gate's  camp. 


242  NARRATIVE    OF    THE 

silence,  many  fires  were  lighted,  and  several  tents  left  standing  ; 
we  travelled  continually  during  the  night.  At  six  o'clock  in  the 
morning  we  halted,  which  excited  the  surprise  of  all ;  General 
Burgoyne  had  the  cannon  ranged  ancf  counted  ;  this  delay  seemed 
to  displease  everybody,  for  if  we  could  only  have  made  another 
good  march,  we  should  have  been  in  safety.  My  husband,  quite 
exhausted  with  fatigue,  came  into  my  calash,  and  slept  for  three 
hours.  During  that  time,  Capt,  Willoe  brought  me  a  bag  full  of 
bank  notes,  and  Captain  Grismar  his  elegant  watch,  a  ring,  and  a 
purse  full  of  money,  which  they  requested  me  to  take  care  of,  and 
which  I  promised  to  do,  to  the  utmost  of  my  power.  We  again 
marched,  but  had  scarcely  proceeded  an  hour,  before  we  halted, 
as  the  enemy  was  in  sight ;  it  proved  to  be  only  a  reconnoitering 
party  of  two  hundred  men,  who  might  easily  have  been  made 
prisoners,  if  General  Burgoyne  had  given  proper  orders  on  the 
occasion. 

"  The  Indians  had  now  lost  their  courage,  and  were  departing 
for  their  homes ;  these  people  appeared  to  droop  much  under 
adversity,  and  especially  when  they  had  no  prospect  of  plunder. 
One  of  my  waiting-women  was  in  a  state  of  despair,  which  ap 
proached  to  madness  ;  she  cursed  and  tore  her  hair,  and  when  I 
attempted  to  reason  with  her,  and  to  pacify  her,  she  asked  me  if 
I  was  not  grieved  at  our  situation,  and  on  my  saying  I  was,  she 
tore  her  cap  off  her  head  and  let  her  hair  fall  over  her  face,  say 
ing  to  me  *  it  is  very  easy  for  you  to  be  composed  and  talk  ;  you 
have  your  husband  with  you  ;  I  have  none,  and  what  remains  to 
me  but  the  prospect  of  perishing  or  losing  all  I  have  ?'  I  again 
bade  her  take  comfort,  and  assured  her  I  would  make  good  what 
ever  she  might  happen  to  lose  ;  and  I  made  the  same  promise 


BARONESS    REIDESEL.  243 

to  Ellen,  my  other  waiting-woman,  who,  though  filled  with  ap 
prehensions,  made  no  complaints. 

"  About  evening  we  arrived  at  Saratoga ;  my  dress  was  wet 
through  and  through  with  rain,  and  in  this  state  I  had  to  remain 
the  whole  night,  having  no  place  to  change  it ;  I  however  got 
close  to  a  large  fire,  and  at  last  lay  down  on  some  straw.  At  this 
moment  General  Phillips  came  up  to  me,  and  I  asked  him  why 
lie  had  not  continued  our  retreat,  as  my  husband  had  promised 
to  cover  it,  and  bring  the  army  through  ?  '  Poor,  dear  woman,' 
said  he,  '  I  wonder  how,  drenched  as  you  are,  you  have  the  courage 
still  to  persevere,  and  venture  further  in  this  kind  of  weather ;  I 
wish,'  continued  he,  *  you  was  our  commanding  general ;  General 
Burgoyne  is  tired,  and  means  to  halt  here  to-night  and  give  us 
our  supper.' 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  at  10  o'clock,  General  Burgoyne 
ordered  the  retreat  to  be  continued,  and  caused  the  handsome 
houses  and  mills  of  General  Schuyler  to  be  burnt ;  we  marched, 
however,  but  a  short  distance,  and  then  halted.  The  greatest  mis 
ery  at  this  time  prevailed  in  the  army,  and  more  than  thirty  offi 
cers  came  to  me,  for  whom  tea  and  coffee  was  prepared,  and  with 
whom  I  shared  all  my  provisions,  with  which  my  calash  was  in 
general  well  supplied,  for  I  had  a  cook  who  was  an  excellent  ca 
terer,  and  who  often  in  the  night  crossed  small  rivers,  and  foraged 
on  the  inhabitants,  bringing  in  with  him,  sheep,  small  pigs,  and 
poultry,  for  which  he  very  often  forgot  to  pay,  though  he  received 
good  pay  from  me  so  long  as  I  had  any,  and  was  ultimately  hand 
somely  rewarded.  Our  provisions  now  failed  us,  for  want  of 
proper  conduct  in  the  commissary's  department,  and  I  began  to 
despair. 

"  About  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  again  heard  a  firing 


244  NARRATIVE  OF  THE 

of  cannon  and  small  arms ;  instantly  all  was  alarm,  and  every 
thing  in  motion.  My  husband  told  me  to  go  to  a  house  not  far 
off.  I  immediately  seated  myself  in  my  calash,  with  my  children, 
and  drove  off;  but  scarcely  had  we  reached  it  before  I  discovered 
live  or  six  armed  men  on  the  other  side  of  the  Hudson.  Instinct 
ively  I  threw  my  children  down  in  the  calash,  and  then  concealed 
myself  with  them.  At  this  moment  the  fellows  fired,  and  wounded 
an  already  wounded  English  soldier,  who  was  behind  me.  Poor 
fellow !  I  pitied  him  exceedingly,  but  at  this  moment  had  no 
means  or  power  to  relieve  him. 

"  A  terrible  cannonade  was  commenced  by  the  enemy,  against 
the  house  in  which  I  sought  to  obtain  shelter  for  myself  and 
children,  under  the  mistaken  idea  that  all  the  generals  were  in  it. 
Alas  !  it  contained  none  but  wounded  and  women.  We  were  at 
last  obliged  to  resort  to  the  cellar  for  refuge,  and  in  one  corner 
of  this  I  remained  the  whole  day,  my  childern  sleeping  on  the 
earth  with  their  heads  in  my  lap ;  and  in  the  same  situation  I 
passed  a  sleepless  night.  Eleven  cannon  balls  passed  through  the 
house,  and  we  could  distinctly  hear  them  roll  away.  One  poor 
soldier  who  was  lying  on  a  table,  for  the  purpose  of  having  his 
leg  amputated,  was  struck  by  a  shot,  which  carried  away  his  other  ; 
his  comrades  had  left  him,  and  when  we  went  to  his  assistance, 
we  found  him  in  the  corner  of  a  room,  into  which  he  had  crept, 
more  dead  than  alive,  scarcely  breathing.  My  reflections  on  the 
danger  to  which  my  husband  was  exposed  now  agonized  me  ex 
ceedingly,  and  the  thoughts  of  my  children,  and  the  necessity  of 
struggling  for  their  preservation,  alone  sustained  me. 

"  The  ladies  of  the  army  who  were  with  me,  were  Mrs.  Hani- 
age,  a  Mrs.  Kennels,  the  widow  of  a  lieutenant  who  was  killed, 
and  the  lady  of  the  commissary.  Major  Harnage,  his  wife,  and 


RARONESS  RE1DESEL.  245 

Mrs.  Kennels,  made  a  little  room  in  a  corner  with  curtains  to  it, 
and  wished  to  do  the  same  for  me,  but  I  preferred  being  near  the 
door,  in  case  of  fire.  Not  far  off  my  women  slept,  and  opposite 
to  us  three  English  officers,  who,  though  wounded,  were  deter 
mined  not  to  be  left  behind ;  one  of  them  was  Captain  Green,  an 
aid-de-camp  to  Major  General  Phillips,  a  very  valuable  officer  and 
most  agreeable  man.  They  each  made  me  a  most  sacred  promise 
not  to  leave  me  behind,  and,  in  case  of  sudden  retreat,  that  they 
would  each  of  them  take  one  of  my  children  on  his  horse  ;  and 
for  myself,  one  of  my  husband's  was  in  constant  readiness. 

"  Our  cook,  whom  I  have  before  mentioned,  procured  us  our 
meals,  but  we  were  in  want  of  water,  and  I  was  often  obliged  to 
drink  wine,  and  to  give  it  to  my  children.  It  was  the  only  thing 
my  husband  took,  which  made  our  faithful  hunter,  Rockel,  express 
one  day  his  apprehensions,  that, '  the  general  was  weary  of  his  life, 
or  fearful  of  being  taken,  as  he  drank  so  much  wine.'  The  con 
stant  danger  which  my  husband  was  in,  kept  m'e  in  a  state  of 
\vretehedness  ;  and  I  asked  myself,  if  it  was  possible,  I  should  be 
the  only  happy  one,  and  have  my  husband  spared  to  me  unhurt, 
exposed  as  he  was  to  so  many  perils.  He  never  entered  his  tent, 
but  lay  down  whole  nights  by  the  watch  fires ;  this  alone  was 
enough  to  have  killed  him,  the  cold  was  so  intense. 

"  The  want  of  water  distressed  us  much ;  at  length  we  found  a 
soldier's  wife,  who  had  courage  enough  to  fetch  lissome  from  the 
river,  an  office  nobody  else  would  undertake,  as  the  Americans 
shot  at  every  person  who  approached  it ;  but  out  of  respect  for  her 
sex,  they  never  molested  her. 

ki  I  now  occupied  myself  through  the  day  in  attending  the 
wounded ;  I  made  them  tea  and  coffee,  and  often  shared  my  din 
ner  with  them  for  which  they  offered  me  a  thousand  expression* 


246  NARRATIVE  OF  THE 

of  gratitude.  One  day  a  Canadian  officer  came  to. our  cellar,  who 
had  scarcely  the  power  of  holding  himself  upright,  and  we  con 
cluded  he  was  dying  for  want  of  nourishment :  I  was  happy  in 
offering  him  my  dinner,  which  strengthened  him,  and  procured 
me  his  friendship.  I  now  undertook  the  care  of  Major  Bloom- 
field,  another  aid-de-camp  of  General  Phillips ;  he  had  received  a 
musket  ball  through  both  cheeks,  which  in  its  course  had  knocked 
out  several  of  his  teeth,  and  cut  his  tongue  ;  he  could  hold  nothing 
in  his  mouth,  the  matter  which  ran  from  his  wound  almost  choked 
him,  and  he  was  not  able  to  take  any  nourishment  except  a  little 
soup,  or  something  liquid.  We  had  some  Rhenish  wine,  and  in 
the  hope  that  the  acidity  of  it  would  cleanse  his  wound,  I  gave 
him  a  bottle  of  it.  He  took  a  little  now  and  then,  and  with  such 
effect,  that  his  cure  soon  followed ;  thus  I  added  another  to  my 
stock  of  friends,  and  derived  a  satisfaction  which  in  the  midst  of 
suffering,  served  to  tranquilize  me  and  diminish  their  acuteness. 

"  One  day,  General  Phillips  accompanied  my  husband,  at  the 
risk  of  their  lives,  on  a  visit  to  us.  The  General,  after  having  wit 
nessed  our  situation,  said  to  him,  1 1  would  not  for  ten  thousand 
guineas  come  again  to  this  place,  my  heart  is  almost  broken.' 

"  In  this  horrid  situation  we  remained  six  days  ;  a  cessation  of 
hostilities  was  now  spoken  of,  and  eventually  took  place.  A  con 
vention  was  afterwards  agreed  on ;  but  one  day  a  message  was 
sent  to  my  husband  who  had  visited  me,  and  was  reposing 
in  my  bed,  to  attend,  a  council  of  war,  where  it  was  proposed 
to  break  the  convention  ;  but,  to  my  great  joy,  the  majority  were 
for  adhering  to  it.  On  the  16th,  however,  my  husband  had  to  re 
pair  to  his  post,  and  I  to  my  cellar.  This  day  fresh  beef  was 
served  out  to  the  officers,  who  till  now  had  only  had  salt  provis 
ions,  which  was  very  bad  for  their  wounds.  The  good  woman 


BARONESS  REIDESEL.  247 

who  brought  us  water,  made  us  an  excellent  soup  of  the  meat,  but 
I  had  lost  my  appetite,  and  took  nothing*  but  crusts  of  bread 
dipped  in  wine.  The  wounded  officers,  my  unfortunate  compan 
ions,  cut  off  the  best  bit,  and  presented  it  to  me  on  a  plate.  I  de 
clined  eating  anything,  but  they  contended  that  it  was  necessary 
for  me  to  take  nourishment,  and  declared  they  would  not  touch 
a  morsel  till  I  afforded  them  the  pleasure  of  seeing  me  partake. 
I  could  no  longer  withstand  their  pressing  invitations,  accompanied 
as  they  were  by  assurances  of  happiness  they  had  in  offering  me 
the  first  good  thing  they  had  in  their  power,  and  I  partook  of  a 
repast  rendered  palatable  by  the  kindness  and  good  will  of  my 
fellow-sufferers,  forgetting  for  the  moment  the  misery  of  our  apart 
ment,  and  the  absence  of  almost  every  comfort. 

"  On  the  17th  of  October,  the  convention  was  completed.  Gen 
eral  Burgoyne  and  the  other  generals  waited  on  the  American 
General  Gates ;  the  troops  laid  down  their  arms,  and  gave  them 
selves  up  prisoners  of  war !  And  now  the  good  woman  who  had 
supplied  us  with  water  at  the  hazard  of  her  life,  received  the  re 
ward  of  her  services ;  each  of  us  threw  a  handful  of  money  into 
her  apron  and  she  got  altogether  about  twenty  guineas.  At  such 
a  moment  as  this,  how  susceptible  is  the  heart,  of  feelings  of  grati 
tude  ! 

"  My  husband  sent  a  message  to  me,  to  come  over  to  him  with 
my  children.  I  seated  myself  once  more  in  my  dear  calash,  and 
then  rode  through  the  American  camp.  As  I  passed  on,  I  ob 
served,  and  this  was  a  great  consolation  to  me,  that  no  one  eyed 
me  with  looks  of  resentment,  but  that  they  all  greeted  us,  and 
even  showed  compassion  in  their  countenances  at  the  sight  of  a 
woman  with  small  children.  I  was.  I  confess,  afraid  to  go  over 
to  the  enemy,  as  it  was  quite  a  new  situation  to  rne.  When  T 


248  NARRATIVE  OP  THE 

drew  near  the  tents,  a  handsome  man  approached  and  met  me, 
took  my  children  from  the  calash,  and  hugged  and  kissed  them, 
which  affected  me  almost  to  tears.  '  You  tremble,'  said  he,  ad 
dressing  himself  to  me,  *  be  not  afraid.'  *  No,'  I  answered, 
'  you  seem  so  kind  and  tender  to  my  children,  it  inspires  me  with 
courage.'  He  now  led  me  to  the  tent  of  General  Gates,  where  I 
found  Generals  Burgoyne  and  Phillips,  who  were  on  a  friendly 
footing  with  the  former.  Burgoyne  said  to  me,  '  Never  mind  ; 
your  sorrows  have  now  an  end.'  I  answered  him,  '  that  I  should 
be  reprehensible  to  have  any  cares,  as  he  had  none ;  and  I  was 
pleased  to  see  him  on  such  friendly  footing  with  General  Gates.' 
All  the  Generals  remained  to  dine  with  General  Gates. 

"The  same  gentleman  who  received  me  so  kindly,  now  came 
and  said  to  mev  "  You  will  be  very  much  embarrassed  to  eat  with 
all  these  gentlemen  ;  come  with  your  children  to  my  tent,  where  1 
will  prepare  for  you  a  frugal  dinner,  and  give  it  with  a  free  wRL" 
I  said  '  You  are,  certainly  a  husband  and  a  father,  you  hare 
shown  me  so  much  kindness.''  I  now  found  that  he  was 
GENERAL  SCHUYLER.  He  treated  me  with  excellent  smoked 
tongue,  beefsteaks,  potatoes,  and  good  bread  and  butter  !  Never 
could  I  have  wished  to  eat  a  better  dinner ;  I  was  content ;  I  saw 
all  around  me  were  so  likewise;  and,  what  was  better  than  all,  my 
husband  was  out  of  danger. 

"  When  we  had  dined,  he  told  me  his  residence  was  at  Albany, 
and  that  General  Burgoyne  intended  to  honor  him  as  his  guest, 
and  invited  myself  and  children  to  do  so  likewise.  I  asked  my- 
husband  how  I  should  act;  he  told  me  to  accept  the  invitation. 
As  it  was  two  days'  journey  there,  .he  advised  me  to  go  to  a  place 
which  was  about  three  hour's  ride  distant.  General  Schuyler  had 
the  politeness  to  send  with  me  a  French  officer,  a  very  agreeable 


BARONESS  REIDESEL.  249 

man,  who  commanded  the  reconnoitering  party,  of  which  I  have 
before  spoken  ;  and  when  he  had  escorted  me  to  the  house  where 
I  was  to  remain,  he  turned  back  again. 

"  Some  days  after  this  we  arrived  at  Albany,  where  we  so  often 
wished  ourselves ;  but  we  did  not  enter  it  as  we  expected  we  should 
— victors  !  We  were  received  by  the  good  General  Schuyler,  his 
wife,  and  daughters,  not  as  enemies,  but  kind  friends  ;  and  they 
treated  us  with  the  most  marked  attention  and  politeness,  as  they 
did  General  Burgoyne,  who  had  caused  General  Schuyler's  beau 
tifully  finished  house  to  be  burnt.  In  fact,  they  behaved  like  per 
sons  of  exalted  minds,  who  determined  to  bury  all  reccollections 
of  their  own  injuries  in  the  contemplation  of  our  misfortunes. 
General  Burgoyne  was  struck  with  General  Schuyler's  generosity, 
and  said  to  him,  '  You  show  me  great  kindness,  though  I  have 
done  you  much  injury.'  '  That  was  the  fate  of  war ;'  replied  the 
brave  man,  *  let  us  say  no  more  about  it.' ' 


LYDIA  DARRAH. 

THE  following  account  of  the  signal  service  rendered  to  oui 
cause  by  a  heroine  quakeress,  Lydia  Darrali,  first  appeared  in  the 
American  Quarterly  Review  : 

When  the  British  army  held  possession  of  Philadelphia,  Gene 
ral  Harris'  head-quarters  were  in  Second  street,  the  fourth  door 
below  Spruce,  in  a  house  which  was  before  occupied  by  General 
Cadwallader.  Directly  opposite,  resided  William  and  Lydia 
Darrah,  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  A  superior  officer  of 
the  British  army,  believed  to  be  the  Adjutant  General,  fixed  upon 


250  LYDIA    DARK  AH. 

one  of  their  chambers,  a  back  room,  for  private  conference  ;  and 
two  of  them  frequently  met  there,  with  fire  and  candles,  in  close 
consultation.  About  the  second  of  December,  the  Adjutant  Ge 
neral  told  Lydia  that  they  would  be  in  the  room  at  seven  o'clock, 
and  remain  late ;  and  that  they  wished  the  family  to  retire  early 
to  bed  ;  adding,  that  when  they  were  going  away,  they  would 
call  her  to  let  them  out,  and  extinguish  their  fire  and  candles. 
She  accordingly  sent  all  the  family  to  bed ;  but,  as  the  officer  had 
been  so  particular,  her  curiosity  was  excited.  She  took  off  her 
shoes,  and  put  her  ear  to  the  key-hole  of  the  conclave.  She  over 
heard  an  order  read  for  all  the  British  troops  to  march  out,  late 
in  the  evening  of  the  fourth,  and  attack  General  Washington's 
army,  then  encamped  at  White  Marsh.  On  hearing  this,  she  re 
turned  to  her  chamber  and  laid  herself  down.  Soon  after,  the 
officers  knocked  at  her  door,  but  she  rose  only  at  the  third  sum 
mons,  having  feigned  to  be  asleep.  Her  mind  was  so  much  agi 
tated  that,  from  this  moment,  she  could  neither  eat  nor  sleep ; 
supposing  it  to  be  in  her  power  to  save  the  lives  of  thousands  of 
her  countrymen ;  but  not  knowing  how  she  was  to  convey  the 
necessary  information  to  General  Washington,  nor  daring  to  con 
fide  it  even  to  her  husband.  The  time  left,  was,  however,  short ; 
she  quickly  determined  to  make  her  way,  as  soon  as  possible,  to 
the  American  outposts.  She  informed  her  family,  that,  as  they 
were  in  want  of  flour,  she  would  go  to  Frankfort  for  some  *,  her 
husband  insisted  that  she  should  take  with  her  the  servant  maid  ; 
but,  to  his  surprise,  she  positively  refused.  She  got  access  to  Ge 
neral  Howe,  and  solicited — what  he  readily  granted, — a  pass 
through  the  British  troops  on  the  lines.  Leaving  her  bag  at  the 
mill,  she  hastened  towards  the  American  lines,  and  encountered 
on  her  way  an  American,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Craig,  of  the  light 


LYDIA    DARKAH.  251 

horse,  who,  with  some  of  his  men,  was  on  the  look-out  for  infor 
mation.  He  knew  her,  and  inquired  whither  she  was  going 
She  answered,  in  quest  of  her  son,  an  officer  in  the  American 
army ;  and  prayed  the  Colonel  to  alight  and  walk  with  her.  He 
did  so,  ordering  his  troops  to  keep  in  sight.  To  him  she  disclosed 
her  momentous  secret,  after  having  obtained  from  him  the  most 
.solemn  promise  never  to  betray  her  individually,  since  her  life 
might  be  at  stake,  with  the  British.  He  conducted  her  to  a  house 
near  at  hand,  directed  a  female  in  it  to  give  her  something  to  eat, 
and  he  speeded  for  head-quarters,  where  he  brought  General 
Washington  acquainted  with  what  he  had  heard.  Washington 
made,  of  course,  all  preparation  for  baffling  the  meditated  surprise. 
Lydi-j,  returned  home  with  her  flour  ;  sat  up  alone  to  watch  the 
movement  of  the  British  troops ;  heard  their  footsteps  ;  but  when 
they  returned,  in  a  few  days  after,  did  not  dare  to  ask  a  question, 
though  solicitous  to  learn  the  event.  The  next  evening,  the  Ad 
jutant  General  came  in,  and  requested  her  to  walk  up  to  his  room, 
as  he  wished  to  put  some  questions.  She  followed  him  in  terror  ; 
and  when  he  locked  the  door,  and  begged  her,  with  an  air  of 
mystery  to  be  seated,  she  was  sure  that  she  was  either  suspected, 
or  had  been  betrayed.  He  inquired  earnestly  whether  any  of  her 
family  were  up  the  last  night  he  and  the  other  officer  met : — she 
told  him  that  they  all  retired  at  eight  o'clock.  He  observed — "  I 
know  you  were  asleep,  for  I  knocked  at  your  chamber  door  three 
times  before  you  heard  me  ;  I  am  entirely  at  a  loss  to  imagine 
who  gave  Washington  information  of  our  intended  attack,  unless 
the  walls  of  the  house  could  speak.  When  we  arrived  near  White 
Marsh,  we  found  all  their  cannon  mounted,  and  the  tooop  prepared 
to  receive  us ;  and  we  have  marched  back  like  a  parcel  of  fools." 


CAPTURE  OF  PRESIDENT  DAGGETT, 


CAPTURE  OF  PRESIDENT  DAGGETT. 

ON  the  occasion  of  the  invasion  of  New  Haven,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Daggett,  at  that  time  president  of  Yale  College,  armed  himself 
with  a  musket,  and  went  out  with  his  fellow  citizens  to  oppose 
the  enemy.  He  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  Whilst  in 
the  hands  of  the  British  he  was  asked,  whether  if  released,  he 
would  again  take  up  arms  against  them  ? — to  which  he  answered, 
"  I  rather  believe  I  shall,  if  I  get  an  opportunity."  We  subjoin 
an  account  of  his  captivity,  as  given  by  himself. 

"  An  account  of  the  cruelties  and  barbarities  which  I  received 
from  the  British  soldiers,  after  I  had  surrendered  myself  a  prisoner 
into  their  hands.  It  is  needless  to  relate  all  the  leading  circum 
stances  which  threw  me  in  their  way.  It  may  be  sufficient  just 
to  observe,  that  on  Monday  morning,  the  5th  hist.,  (July  1779,) 
the  town  of  New  Haven  was  justly  alarmed,  with  very  threaten 
ing  appearances  of  a  speedy  invasion  from  the  enemy.  Numbers 
went  out  armed  to  oppose  them  ;  I  among  the  rest,  took  the  sta 
tion  assigned  me,  upon  Milford  Hill,  but  was  soon  directed  to  quit 
it,  and  retire  further  north,  as  the  motions  of  the  enemy  required. 
Having  gone  as  far  as  I  supposed  was  sufficient,  I  turned  down 
the  hill  to  gain  a  little  covert  of  bushes,  which  I  had  in  my  eye ; 
but  to  my  great  surprise,  I  saw  the  enemy  much  nearer  than  I 
expected,  their  advanced  guards  being  little  more  than  twenty 
rods  distant,  plain,  open  ground  between  us.  They  instantly  fired 
upon  me,  which  they  continued  until  I  had  run  a  dozen  rods,  dis 
charging  not  less  than  fifteen  or  twenty  balls  at  me  alone  ;  how 
ever,  through  the  preserving  providence  .of  God,  I  escaped  them 
all  unhurt,  and  gained  the  little  covert  at  which  I  aimed,  which 


CAPTURi;    OF  PRESIDENT    DAGGETT.  253 

concealed  me  from  their  view,  while  I  could  plainly  see  them 
through  the  weeds  and  bushes,  advancing  towards  me  within 
about  twelve  rods.  I  singled  out  one  of  them,  took  aim,  and 
fired  upon  him  ;  I  loaded  my  musket  again,  but  determined  not 
to  discharge  any  more,  and  as  I  saw  I  could  not  escape  from  them, 
I  determined  to  surrender  myself  a  prisoner.  I  begged  for  quar 
ter,  and  that  they  would  spare  my  life.  They  drew  near  to  me, 
1  think  two  only  in  number,  one  on  my  right  hand,  the  other  on 
my  left,  the  fury  of  infernals  glaring  in  their  faces.  They  called  me 
a  damned  old  rebel,  and  swore  they  would  kill  me  instantly. 
They  demanded,  what  did  you  fire  upon  us  for  ?  I  replied,  be 
cause  it  is  the  exercise  of  war.  Then  one  made  a  pass  at  me  with 
his  bayonet,  as  if  he  designed  to  thrust  it  through  my  body.' 
With  my  hand  I  tossed  it  up  from  its  direction,  and  sprang  in  so 
near  to  him  that  he  could  not  hurt  me  with  his  bayonet.  I  still 
continued  pleading  and  begging  for  my  life,  with  the  utmost  im 
portunity,  using  every  argument  in  my  power  to  mollify  them, 
and  induce  them  to  desist  from  their  murderous  purposes.  One 
of  them  gave  me  four  gashes  on  my  head  with  the  edge  of  his 
bayonet,  to  the  skull  bone,  which  caused  a  plentiful  effusion  of 
blood.  The  other  gave  me  three  slight  pricks  with  the  point  of 
his  bayonet,  on  the  trunk  of  my  body,  but  they  were  no  more  than 
skin  deep.  But  what  is  a  thousand  times  worse  than  all  that  has 
been  related,  is  the  blows  and  bruises  they  gave  me  with  the  heavy 
barrels  of  their  guns  on  my  bowels,  by  which  I  was  knocked  down 
•  nice,  or  more,  and  almost  deprived  of  life  ;  by  which  bruises,  I 
have  been  almost  confined  to  my  bed  ever  since.  These  scenes 
might  take  up  about  two  minutes  of  time.  They  seemed  to  desist 
a  little  from  their  design  of  murder,  after  which  they  stript  me  of 
my  shoes  and  knee  buckles,  and  also  my  stock  buckle.  Their 


254         CAPTURE  OF  PRESIDENT  DAGGETT. 

avarice  further  led  them  to  rob  me  of  my  pocket-handkerchief, 
and  a  little  old  tobacco  box.  They  then  bade  me  march  towards 
the  main  body,  which  was  about  twelve  rods  distant ;  when  some 
officers  inquired  of  me  who  I  was,  I  gave  them  my  name,  station, 
and  character,  and  begged  their  protection,  that  I  might  not  be 
any  more  abused  or  hurt  by  the  soldiers.  They  promised  me 
their  protection.  But  I  was  robbed  of  my  shoes,  and  was  com 
mitted  to  one  of  the  most  unfeeling  savages  that  ever  breathed. 
They  then  drove  me  with  the  main  body,  a  hasty  march  of  live 
miles  or  more.  I  was  insulted  in  the  most  shocking  mariner,  by 
the  ruffian  soldiers,  many  of  which  came  at  me  with  fixed  bay 
onets,  and  swore  that  they  would  kill  me  on  the  spot.  They 
•damned  me,  those  that  took  me,  because  they  spared  my  life. 
Thus,  amidst  a  thousand  insults,  my  infernal  driver  hastened  me 
along  faster  than  niy  strength  would  admit,  in  the  extreme  heat 
of  the  day,  weakened  as  I  was  by  my  wounds,  and  the  loss  of 
blood,  which  at  a  moderate  computation  could  not  be  less  than 
one  quart.  And  when  I  failed  in  some  degree,  through  faintness, 
he  would  strike  me  on  the  back  with  a  heavy  walking  staff,  and 
kick  me  behind  with  his  foot.  At  length,  by  the  supporting 
power  of  God,  I  arrived  at  the  green,  in  New  Haven.  But  my 
life  was  almost  spent,  the  world  around  me  several  times  appear 
ing  as  dark  as  midnight.  I  obtained  leave  of  an  officer  to  be  car 
ried  into  the  widow  Lyman's,  and  laid  upon  a  bed,  where  I  lay 
the  rest  of  the  day  and  succeeding  night,  in  such  acute  and  excru 
dating  pain  as  I  never  felt  before." 


THE  MURDER  OF  MR.  AND  MRS.  CALDWELL.  255 


THE  MURDER  OF  MR.  AND  MRS.  CALDWELL. 

THE  Rev.  James  Caldwell,  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.,  acted  as  Chaplain  of  the  Ameri 
can  army  while  in  New  Jersey,  and  by  his  zealous  patriotism,  and 
patriotic  appeals,  often  contributed  to  arouse  the  spirits  of  the 
soldiers,  and  to  inspire  them  with  a  greater  energy  in  the  per 
formance  of  their  trying  duties.  He  was  very  popular  in  the 
community,  and  received  the  unlimited  confidence  of  Washington. 

But  his  lofty  patriotism,  and  unflinching  zeal  in  the  American 
cause,  made  him  hated  by  the  enemy,  who  sought  every  means 
to  get  him  into  their  power,  and  a  price  was  set  upon  his  head. 
When  preaching,  he  frequently  was  compelled  to  lay  his  loaded 
pistols  by  his  side  in  the  pulpit.  At  one  time  he  resided  in 
Springfield,  but  afterwards  removed  to  "  Connecticut  Farms,1' 
about  four  miles  from  Elizabethtown.  Here  was  enacted  the  first 
part  of  the  tragedy  we  are  about  to  relate. 

A  company  of  British  troop  from  New  York,  under  command 
of  the  Hessian  General,  Knyphausen,  landed  in  Elizabethtown  in 
June  of  1780,  and  marching  directly  into  the  interior,  proceeded 
to  wreak  their  cruelty  upon  every  living  thing  that  fell  in  their 
way.  Houses  were  fired,  cattle  destroyed,  helpless  people  mur 
dered,  or  left  without  shelter,  clothing,  or  food.  Mr.  Caldwell 
heard  of  their  approach,  and  immediately  prepared  to  escape- 
He  put  his  elder  children  in  a  wagon,  and  sent  them  on  to  some 
of  his  friends  for  protection.  He  then  desired  his  wife,  with  the 
younger  children,  to  take  means  of  flight,  but  she  announced  her 
determination  of  remaining,  as  none  would  have  cause  to  offer 
injury  to  her.  Finding  she  would  not  yield  to  his  persuasion,  and 


256  THE    MURDER    OF 

believing  it  impossible  that  their  resentment  could  extend  to  an 
unprotected  mother,  with  her  babe  clasped  to  her  heart,  Mr.  Cald- 
well  resolved  to  leave  them,  and  seek  his  own  safety  alone.  He 
was  mounted,  and  receiving  the  last  assurance  of  her  resolve  to 
stay,  when  the  gleam  of  arms  announced  the  approach  of  the 
enemy,  and  he  rode  rapidly  off. 

Mrs.  Caldwell  having  concealed  what  things  were  of  value,  took 
her  infant  in  her  arms,  and  retired  to  her  chamber,  the  window 
of  which  commanded  the  road.  Here,  with  her  three  little  ones 
around,  she  awaited  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  feeling  conscious 
that  her  unprotected  state  would  secure  respect  and  safety.  One 
little  girl  was  standing  by  the  window  watching  the  approach  of 
the  troops,  when  one  of  the  soldiers  left  the  road,  and  came  to  the 
window,  which  he  had  no  sooner  reached,  than  he  placed  the 
muzzle  of  his  gun  against  it,  and  deliberately  fired,  when  Mrs. 
Caldwell  fell  suddenly  back,  and  almost  instantly  expired. 

Xot  content  with  depriving  her  of  life,  the  inhuman  monsters 
wreaked  their  cruelty  on  her  senseless  body.  Her  clothes  were 
nearly  torn  off,  and  her  body  removed  to  the  road  side,  where  it 
was  subjected  to  every  indignity,  while  the  torch  was  applied  to 
the  dwelling,  and  then  the  work  of  destruction  was  done. 

The  effect  of  this  terrible  blow  upon  the  husband  can  only  be 
imagined.  He  was  that  morning  standing  upon  the  heights  of 
Springfield,  and  by  the  aid  of  a  spy-glass  could  see  the  smoke 
from  the  burning  houses.  "  Thank  God,"  he  exclaimed,  "  the  fire 
is  not  in  the  direction  of  my  house."  He  was  too  soon  to  learu 
the  sad  mistake. 

The  royalists  attempted  to  throw  off  the  responsibility  of  this 
act,  by  asserting  that  Mrs.  Caldwell  was  killed  by  a  chance  shot. 
But  all  the  evidence  goes  to  show  that  it  was  deliberately  planned, 


MR.  AND    MRS.  CALDWELL.  257 

and  that  the  soldier  by  whose  hand  the  bloody  deed  was  com 
mitted,  only  acted  in  accordance  with  his  orders.  The  fact  that 
her  body  was  allowed  to  be  so  rudely  treated,  while  many  of  the 
officers  felt  their  abhorrence  for  the  deed,  proves  that  although 
they  felt  respect  for  her  remains,  they  knew  the  will  of  their  su 
periors,  and  therefore  dared  not  show  it. 

The  following  anecdote,  connected  with  this  invasion,  shows 
pretty  clearly  who  were  the  murderers  of  Mrs.  Caldwell.  The 
flames  from  the  burning  dwelling  could  be  seen  from  "  Liberty 
Hall,"  the  residence  of  Gov.  Livingston,  who  was  at  that  time 
absent  from  home.  Parties  of  soldiers  were  continually  passing 
the  house,  but  for  some  reason  it  wras  spared.  But  about  mid 
night  a  party  of  soldiers,  partially  intoxicated,  rushed  into  the 
house.  Tho  maid-servant — all  the  males  in  the  establishment 
having  taken  refuge  in  the  woods  early  in  the  day,  to  avoid  being 
made  prisoners — fastened  herself  in  the  kitchen  ;  and  the  ladies, 
(Mrs.  Livingston  and  her  daughters)  crowded  together  like  fright 
ened  deer,  locked  themselves  in  another  apartment.  Their  place 
of  retreat  was  soon  di.scovered  by  the  ruffians ;  and  afraid  to 
exasperate  them  by  refusing  to  come  out,  one  of  Governor  Liv 
ingston's  daughters  opened  the  door.  A  drunken  soldier  seized 
her  by  the  arm  ;  she  grasped  the  villain's  collar,  and,  at  the  very 
moment,  a  flash  of  lightning  illuminated  the  hall,  and  falling 
upon  her  white  dress — he  staggered  back,  exclaiming,  with  an 
oath,  '  It's  Mrs.  Caldweli,  that  we  killed  to-day.'  One  of  the 
party  was  at  length  recognized,  and  by  his  intervention,  the 
house  was  finally  cleared  of  the  assailants."* 

But  the  vengeance  of  Mr.  Cald well's  enemies  was  not  yet  sa- 

*  Life  of  Livingston. 


258  THE  MURDER  OF  MR.  AND  MRS.  CALDWELL. 

tiated ;  the  tragedy  so  far  was  incomplete.  It  was  on  the  24th 
of  November,  1781,  that  he  himself  fell  beneath  the  ruthless 
murderer's  hand,  and  the  blow  this  time  carne  from  a  source  where 
he  thought  himself  secure.  On  the  day  above  mentioned,  he 
went  to  Elizabethtown  Point,  for  a  Miss  Murray,  who  had  come 
from  New  York,  under  a  flag  of  truce.  After  conducting  her  to 
his  gig,  he  returned  to  the  boat,  to  obtain  a  bundle  which  had 
been  left  behind.  As  he  came  on  shore,  the  American  sentinel 
challenged  him,  and  demanded  what  "  contraband  goods "  he 
had  there.  Mr.  Caldwell  stepped  forward  to  tender  the  bundle 
to  the  proper  officer,  not  wishing  to  enter  into  a  dispute  about  it 
then,  when  the  report  of  a  musket  was  heard,  and  he  fell  dead, 
pierced  by  two  balls.  He  had  been  shot  by  a  man  named  Mor 
gan,  who  had  just  been  relieved  from  duty  as  a  sentinel.  He 
was  arrested,  tried,  condemned,  and  was  executed.  There  can  be 
no  doubt  but  that  he  was  bribed  to  the  deed  by  British  gold,  as 
there  was  no  shadow  of  a  cause  to  suppose  that  enmity  existed 
between  Mr.  Caldwell  and  him. 

Viewed  from  any  point,  these  two  murders  were  among  the 
most  atrocious  acts  perpetrated  by  the  invaders  of  our  country, 
and  in  a  history  full  of  atrocities,  they  will  always  rank  as  bloody, 
fiendish  and  treacherous. 


CAPTATN    CUNNINGHAM.  259 


CAPTAIN  CUNNINGHAM. 

"  AT  the  beginning  of  the  war  of  the  revolution,  Captain  Cun 
ningham  enlisted  in  one  of  the  minute  companies,  and  continued  in 
that  service  until  Virginia  armed  a  few  fast  sailing  pilot  boat 
schooners.  Thus  was  the  navy  of  that  state  commenced.  It,  how 
ever,  varied  materially ;  sometimes  amounting  to  as  many  as  fifty 
vessels,  and  occassionally  to  only  one.  Among  them  was  the 
schooner  Liberty,  which  was  never  captured,  although  several 
times  sunk  in  the  rivers  to  conceal  her  from  the  enemy.  Captain 
Cunningham  embarked  and  remained  in  the  Liberty,  as  her  first 
lieutenant,  until  the  war  assumed  a  more  regular  form.  Captain 
Cunningham  purchased  a  small  schooner,  and  engaged  in  traffic  to 
the  West  Indies.  Sea  officers  were  encouraged  to  engage  in  com 
merce  as  the  only  means  of  procuring  the  munitions  of  war. 

"  On  these  occasions  he  encountered  great  risk  from  the  enemy's 
fleets.  Once,  in  the  month  of  June,  he  suddenly  came  upon  an 
English  frigate,  off  Cape  Henry,  in  a  dense  fog.  The  English  com 
mander  ordered  him  to  strike  his  colors,  and  haul  down  his  light 
sails,  or  he  would  sink  him.  By  a  judicious  and  skilful  stratagem, 
he  made  the  enemy  believe  he  intended  to  surrender.  He,  there 
fore  suspended  his  threatened  firing.  At  the  moment  they  dis 
covered  that  Cunningham  intended  to  escape,  the  jib-boom  of  the 
frigate  caught  in  the  topping-lift  of  the  schooner's  main-boom. 
Captain  Cunningham  sprang  up  to  the  stern,  with  a  knife,  to  free 
his  vessel.  While  in  the  act  of  cutting  the  rope,  a  British  marine 
shot  him  through  the  arm.  Nothing  daunted,  he  deliberately  ef 
fected  his  object,  and  amid  a  shower  of  grape,  his  vessel  shot  away 
from  the  frigate,  and  in  a  few  moments  was  out  of  sight. 


260  CAPTAIN  CUNNINGHAM. 

"  Some  time  after.  Captain  Cunningham  joined  the  army,  on 
the  south  side  of  James  river,  and  had  the  misfortune,  while  on  a 
foraging  expedition,  to  be  taken  by  the  enemy,  and  carried  into 
Portsmouth.  He  had  then  been  recently  married. 

"  One  day  he  said  to  an  uncle  of  his,  (also  a  prisoner)  that  he 
would  see  his  wife  the  next  evening,  or  perish  in  the  attempt. 
'  My  dear  Will,  are  you  mad  V  was  the  reply. 

*'  The  prison  in  which  he  was  confined,  was  a  large  sugar-house, 
at  the  extreme  end  of  the  town,  enclosed  by  a  strong  stockade 
fence.  At  sunset  every  evening,  the  guard,  composed  of  forty  or 
fifty  men,  were  relieved  by  fresh  troops,  and  on  their  arrival,  the 
two  guards,  with  their  officers,  were  paraded  in  front  of  the  prison, 
on  each  side  of  the  pathway  to  the  gate.  At  this  hour,  the  cere 
mony  observed  on  the  occasion  was  in  progress ;  the  relieved 
guard  had  stacked  their  arms,  and  were  looking  at  their  baggage  ; 
the  fresh  guard  were  relieving  sentinels,  and,  in  a  degree,  at  their 
ease.  This  was  the  time  selected  by  Captain  Cunningham.  The 
sentinel  had  just  begun  to  pace  his  ground,  and  awful,  indeed,  was 
the  moment.  Captain  Cunningham  was  justly  a  great  favorite 
with  the  prisoners,  who  all,  in  silent  terror,  expected  to  see  their 
beloved  companion  pinned  to  the  earth  by  many  bayonets,  for  ex 
postulation  had  been  exhausted.  '  My  wife,  or  death  T  was  his 
watchword. 

"The  sentinel's  motions  had  been  sagaciously  calculated  upon, 
and  as  he  turned  from  the  prison,  Captain  Cunningham  darted 
out,  and  butted  him  over  at  his  full  length,  and  ran  past  him 
through  the  gate.  It  was  now  nearly  dark.  All  was  uproar  and 
confusion.  Cunningham  soon  reached  a  marsh  near  the  house, 
and  was  nowhere  to  be  found.  Volley  after  volley  was  fired  after 
mm,  and  some,  of  the  balls  whistled  over  his  head.  Ere  long,  he 


ADVENTURE  OF    A  SOLDIER.  261 

arrived  at  the  southern  branch  of  Elizabeth  River,  which  he  swam 
over  a  little  below  the  navy  yard  at  Gosport,  and  finally  reached 
the  place  whither  his  wife  had  fled. 

Lieut.  Church,  who  had  served  as  Captain  Cunningham's  first 
lieutenant,  was  determined  that  his  master  should  not  alone  en 
counter  the  danger  of  an  escape.  He,  therefore,  followed  him  ; 
and  strange  as  it  may  appear,  he  was  never  heard  of,  or  accounted 
for." 


ADVENTURE  OF  A  SOLDIER. 

"  PETER  FRANCISCO,  of  Virginia,  early  enlisted  in  the  continen 
tal  service,  and  was  a  man  of  wonderful  personal  prowess.  He 
was  over  six  feet  in  height,  and  his  weight  was  two  hundred  and 
sixty  pounds.  He  usually  carried  a  sword,  having  a  blade  five 
feet  in  length  and  of  great  weight,  and  this  he  wielded  with  so 
much  skill  and  force,  that  every  swordsman  who  came  in  contact 
with  him  paid  the  forfeit  of  his  life.  Such  was  his  personal 
strength,  that  he  could  easily  shoulder  a  cannon  weighing  1100 
pounds.  This  wonderful  strength  induced  in  him  so  much  confi 
dence,  that  he  was  utterly  fearless,  and  never  was  daunted  at  auy 
danger,  no  matter  how  formidable.  The  following  anecdote  is: 
related  of  him  : — 

"While  the  British  army  was  spreading  havoc  and  desolation 
all  around  them,  by  their  plunderings  and  burnings  in  Virginia, 
in  1781,  Francisco  had  been  reconnoitering,  and  while  stopping  at 
a  house  of  Mr.  Wand,  nine  of  Tarleton's  cavalry  came  up,  with 
three  negroes,  and  told  him  he  was  their  prisoner.  Seeing  he 


262  ADVENTURE  OF    A  SOLDIER. 

was  overpowered  by  numbers,  he  made  no  resistance.  Believing 
him  to  be  very  peacable,  they  all  went  into  the  house,  leaving  him 
and  the  paymaster  together. 

" '  Give  up  instantly  all  that  you  possess  of  value,'  said  the  latter, 
i  or  prepare  to  die.' 

"  *  I  have  nothing  to  give  up,'  said  Francisco,  *  so  use  your  plea 
sure.'  '  Deliver  instantly,'  rejoined  the  solder,  '  those  massy  silver 
buckles  which  you  wear  in  your  shoes.' 

"  '  They  were  a  present  from  a  valued  friend,'  replied  Francisco, 
*  and  it  would  grieve  me  to  part  with  them.  Give  them  into  your 
hands  I  never  will.  You  have  the  power  ;  take  them,  if  you  think 
fit.'  The  soldier  put  his  sabre  under  his  arm,  and  bent  down  to 
take  them.  Francisco,  finding  so  favorable  an  opportunity  tore- 
cover  his  liberty,  stepped  one  pace  in  his  rear,  drew  the  sword 
from  under  the  arm  of  his  enemy,  and  instantly  gave  him  a  blow 
across  the  scull. 

"  '  My  enemy,'  observed  Francisco,  '  was  brave,  and  though  se- 
rerely  wounded,  drew  a  pistol,  and  in  the  same  moment  that  he 
pulled  the  trigger,  I  cut  his  hand  nearly  off.  The  bullet  grazed 
my  side.  Ben  Wand,  (the  man  of  the  house)  very  ungenerously 
brought  out  a  musket,  and  gave  it  to  one  of  the  British  soldiers, 
and  told  him  to  make  use  of  that.  He  mounted  the  only  horse 
he  could  get,  and  presented  it  at  my  breast.  It  missed  fire. 
I  rushed  on  the  muzzle  of  the  gu».  A  desperate  struggle  en 
sued.  I  disarmed  and  wounded  him.  Tarleton's  troop  si  four 
hundred  nun  were  in  sight.  All  was  hurry  and  confusion,  which 
I  increased  by  repeatedly  hallooing,  as  loud  as  I  could,  '  come  on, 
my  brave  boys  ;  noiv's  your  time  /  ive  will  soon  despatch  these 
few,  and  then  attack  the  main  body  /'  The  wounded  man  flew  to 
the  troop ;  the  others  were  panic-struck  and  fled.  I  seized  Wand, 


ADVENTURES  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM.         263 

and  would  have  despatched  him,  but  the  poor  wretch  begged  for 
his  life,  he  was  not  only  an  object  of  my  contempt,  but  pity. 
The  eight  horses  that  were  left  behind,  I  gave  him  to  conceal  for 
me.  Discovering  Tarleton  had  despatched  ten  more  in  pursuit  of 
me,  I  made  off.  I  eluded  their  vigilance.  They  stopped  to  re 
fresh  themselves,  I,  like  an  old  fox,  doubled  and  fell  on  their 
rear." 

He  succeeded  in  escaping  from  his  pursuers.  He  was  engaged 
in  numerous  encounters  with  the  enemy,  in  all  of  which  he  dis 
played  the  same  fearlessness  and  great  strength. 


ADVENTURES  OF  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

AT  one  time,  when  General  Putnam  had  command  of  the  army 
in  New  York,  he  was  visiting  his  out  posts  at  West  Greenwich, 
when  Gov.  Tryou,  with  a  corps  of  fifteen  hundred  men,  was  on  a 
march  against  it.  Putnam  had  with  him  only  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men,  with  two  pieces  of  artillery  ;  with  them  he  took  his  sta 
tion  on  the  brow  of  a  steep  declivity,  near  the  meeting  house. 
The  road  turned  to  the  north,  just  before  it  reached  the  edge  of 
the  steep ;  after  proceeding  in  this  direction  for  a  considerable 
distance,  it  inclined  to  the  south,  rendering  the  descent  gradually 
and  tolerably  safe.  As  the  British  advanced,  they  were  received 
with  a  sharp  fire  from  the  artillery ;  but  perceiving  the  dragoons 
about  to  charge,  Putnam  ordered  his  men  to  retire  to  a  swamp, 
inaccessible  to  cavalry  while  he  himself  dashed  directly  down  the 
precipice,  in  a  spot  where  one  hundred  stone  steps  had  been  cut 
out  in  the  solid  rock,  for  the  accommodation  of  foot  passengers. 


264 


ADVENTURES  OF 


His  pursuers  who  were  close  upon  him,  paused  with  astonishment 
as  they  reached  the  edge,  and  saw  him  accomplish  his  perilous 
descent,  and  not  one  of  them  daring  to  follow,  they  discharged 
their  pistols  after  him,  one  bullet  of  which  passed  through  his  hat, 
This  wonderful  feat  has  done  more  for  the  name  of  Putnam,  than 
almost  any  other  one  act.  The  declivity,  from  this  circumstance, 
has  since  borne  the  name  of  "  Putnam's  Hill." 

Somewhere,  near  the  time  the  above  exploit  took  place,  the  fol 
lowing  adventure  was  performed  by  General  Putnam  :  The  strong 
hold  of  Horse  Neck,  was  in  the  possession  of  the  British,  and 
Putnam  with  a  few  followers,  were  lurking  in  its  vicinity,  bent  on 
driving  them  from  the  place.  Tired  of  lying  in  ambush,  the  men 
became  impatient,  and  importuned  the  general  with  questions,  as 
to  when  they  were  going  to  have  a  'bout  with  the  foe.  One 
morning  he  made  a  speech,  something  to  the  following  effect, 
which  convinced  them  that  something  was  in  the  wind  : — 

"  Fellows  !  you've  been  idle  too  long,  and  so  have  I.  I'm  going 
to  Bush's  at  Horse  Neck,  in  an  hour,  with  an  ox-team,  and  a  load 
of  corn.  If  I  come  back,  I  will  let  you  know  the  particulars  ;  it' 
I  should  not,  let  them  have  it !" 

"  Within  an  hour  he  was  mounted  in  his  ox-cart,  dressed  as  one 
of  the  commonest  Yankee  farmers,  and  was  soon  at  the  Bush's 
tavern,  which  was  in  possession  of  the  British  troops.  No  sooner 
did  the  officers  espy  him,  than  they  began  to  question  him  as  to 
his  whereabouts,  and  finding  him  a  complete  simpleton,  (as  they 
thought)  they  began  to  quiz  him,  and  threatened  to  seize  his  corn 
and  fodder. 

''  How  much  do  you  ask  for  your  whole  concern  ?"  asked  they. 

'•  In  marcy  sake,  gentlemen,"  replied  the  mock  clod-hopper, 
with  the  most  deplorable  look  of  entreaty,  "  only  let  me  off,  and 


GENERAL    PUTNAM.  265 

you  shall  have  my  hull  team  and  load  for  nothing ;  and  if  that 
wont  dew,  I'll  give  you  my  word,  I'll  return  to  morrow,  and  pay 
you  heartily  for  your  kindness  and  condescension." 

"  Well,"  said  they,  "  we'll  take  you  at  your  word,  leave  the  team 
and  provender  with  us,  and  we  wont  require  any  bail  for  your  ap 
pearance.  ' 

Putnam  gave  up  the  team,  and  sauntered  about  an  hour  or  so 
gaining  all  the  information  that  he  wished  ;  he  then  returned  to 
his  men,  and  told  them  of  the  foe,  and  his  plan  of  attack. 

The  morning  came,  and  with  it  sallied  out  the  gallant  band. 
The  British  were  handled  with  rough  hands,  and  when  they  sur 
rendered  to  General  Putnam,  the  clod-hopper  sarcastically  re 
marked,  "  Gentlemen,  I  have  only  kept  my  word.  I  told  you  I 
would  call,  and  pay  you  for  your  kindness  and  condescension." 


INCIDENTS  AT  THE  BATTLE  OF  ORISKANY. 

IN  the  midst  of  the  battle,  while  it  raged  hottest,  and  when  the 
combatants  were  engaged  hand  to  hand,  in  a  conflict  more  fero 
cious  and  bloody,  perhaps,  than  any  other  of  the  revolutionary 
struggle,  a  welcome  sound  burst  upon  the  provincials,  which  was 
greeted  by  hearty  cheers  of  welcome  from  them,  while  it  dismayed 
the  enemy.  The  sound  that  broke  upon  those  engaged  in  their 
bloody  work,  was  that  of  firing  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Stanwix 
which  was  hailed  as  a  reinforcement  of  American  troops.  But 
this  circumstance  had  well  nigh  proved  fatal.  Col.  Butler  of  the 
English  troops,"  availing  himself  of  a  suggestion,  despatched  a 
company  of  his  troop  in  the  disguise  of  American  soldiers,  with 


266  -    INCIDENTS   AT  THE 

directions  to  approach  the  battle-field,  from  the  direction  of  the 
fort,  in  such  a  manner  so  as  to  deceive  the  Americans  into  the  be 
lief  that  they  were  the  earnestly  wished  for  reinforcement.  But. 
as  they  approached,  the  quick  eye  of  Captain  Gardinier,  detected 
the  cheat,  and  to  the  exclamations  of  those  around  him,  that  lh«\v 
were  friends,  he  replied,  "  Not  so;  they  are  enemies  !  don't  you 
see  their  green  coats."  The  disguised  troops  continued  to  advance 
until  they  were  hailed  by  Gardinier,  "  at  which  moment  one  of 
his  own  soldiers,  observing  an  acquaintance,  and  supposing  him 
a  friend,  ran  to  meet  him,  and  presented  his  hand.  It  was  grasped 
but  with  no  friendly  grip,  as  the  credulous  fellow  was  dragged 
into  the  opposing  line,  and  told  that  he  was  a  prisoner,  He  did 
not  yield  without  a  struggle  ;  during  which  Gardinier,  watching 
the  action  and  the  result,  sprang  forward,  and  with  a  blow  from 
his  spear,  levelled  the  captor  to  the  dust,  and  liberated  his  man. 
Others  of  the  foe  instantly  set  upon  him,  of  whom  he  slew  the 
second,  and  wounded  a  third.  Three  of  the  disguised  enemy  now 
sprang  upon  him,  and  one  of  his  spurs  becoming  entangled  in 
their  clothes,  he  was  thrown  to  the  ground.  Still  contending, 
however,  with  almost  super-human  strength,  both  of  his  thighs 
were  transfixed  to  the  earth  by  the  bayonets  of  two  of  his  as 
sailants,  while  the  third  presented  a  bayonet  to  his  breast,  as  if 
to  thrust  him  through.  Seizing  this  bayonet  with  his  left  hand, 
by  a  sudden  wrench  he  brought  its  owner  down  upon  himself, 
where  he  held  him  as  a  shield  against  the  arms  of  the  others. 

O 

until  one  of  his  own  men,  observing  the  struggle,  flew  to  Ins 
rescue.  As  the  assailants  turned  upon  their  new  adversary,  Gar 
dinier  rose  upon  his  seat ;  and  although  his  hand  was  severely 
lacerated  by  grasping  the  bayonet  which  had  been  drawn  through 
it,  he  seized  his  spear,  lying  by  his  side,  and  quick  n>  lightning 


BATTLE  OF  ORISKANY.  267 

planted  it  to  the  barb  in  the  side  of  the  assailant,  with  whom  he 
had  been  clenched.  The  man  fell  and  expired.  While  engaged 
in  the  struggle,  some  of  his  own  men  called  out  to  Gardinier — 
'  for  God's  sake,  Captain,  you  are  killing  your  own  men  !'  He 
replied — '  they  are  not  our  men — they  are  the  enemy — fire  away !' 
A  deadly  fire  from  the  provincials  answered,  and  then  the  par 
ties  once  more  rushed  with  bayonet  and  spear,  grappling  and 
fighting  with  terrible  fury  ;  while  the  shattering  of  shafts  and 
the  clashing  of  steel,  mingled  with  every  dread  sound  of  war 
and  death,  and  the  savage  yells,  more  hideous  than  all,  presented 
a  scene  which  can  be  more  easily  imagined  than  described.  The 
unparalleled  fortitude  and  bravery  of  Captain  Gardinier,  inspired 
fresh  spirit  into  his  men,  some  of  whom  enacted  wonders  of 
valor  likewise. 

"  It  happened  during  the  melee,  in  which  the  contending  par 
ties  were  mingled  in  great  confusion,  that  three  of  Johnson's 
Greens'  rushed  within  the  circle  of  the  provincials,  and  attempted 
to  make  prisoner  of  a  Captain  Dilenback.  This  officer  had  de 
clared  he  would  never  be  taken  alive,  and  he  was  not.  One 
of  his  three  assailants  seized  his  gun,  but  he  suddenly  wrenched 
it  from  him,  and  felled  him  with  the  butt.  He  shot  the  second 
dead,  and  thrust  the  third  through  with  his  bayonet.  But  in 
the  moment  of  his  triumph,  at  an  exploit  of  which  the  mighty 
Hector,  or  either  of  the  sons  of  Zerniah  might  have  been  proud, 
a  ball  laid  this  brave  man  low  in  the  dust." 

General  Herkimer,  who  commanded  the  American  forces,  in  the 
early  part  of  the  contest,  had  been  struck  by  a  ball,  which  shat 
tered  his  leg,  at  the  same  moment  killing  his  horse.  Undaunted 
by  this  accident,  and  indifferent  to  the  severity  of  the  pain,  the 
brave  old  general  continued  in  the  battle,  seated  on  his  saddle 


268  ADVENTURE    OF    COL.  COCHRAN. 

•which  AY  as  placed  on  a  little  hillock  by  a  tree,  against  which  he 
leaned  for  support,  and  gave  his  orders  with  undisturbed  coolness, 
while  his  men  fell  in  scores  around  him,  and  the  exposure  of  his 
situation  made  him  a  mark  for  the  enemy.  Amid  the  clashing  of 
weapons,  the  report  of  artillery,  and  the  yells  of  the  combatants, 
all  mingled  in  one  wild,  fearful  outburst,  as  if  man  had  been 
turned  into  a  fiend,  and  a  love  of  blood  had  assumed  the  mastery 
of  every  other  passion,  General  Herkimer,  deliberately  took  his 
pipe  from  his  pocket,  lit  it,  and  cooly  continued  to  smoke,  amid 
all  the  horrors  that  surrounded  him.  It  is  said,  that  old  Blucher, 
in  the  battle  of  Leipsic,  in  a  similar  manner,  sitting  upon  a  hillock, 
smoked  and  gave  his  orders;  but  Blucher  was  not  wounded. 
General  Herkimer's  leg  was  amputated,  but  it  was  done  so  unskill- 
fully,  that  the  flow  of  blood  could  not  be  stopped,  and  the  conse 
quence  was  fatal.  During  the  operation,  he  smoked,  and  chatted 
in  excellent  spirits  ;  and  when  his  departure  grew  nigh,  he  called 
for  a  bible,  and  read  aloud  until  his  fading  strength  compelled 
him  to  desist. 


ADVENTURE   OF   COL.  COCHRAN. 

"  COLONEL  COCHRAN  having  been  sent  to  Canada  as  a  spy,  his 
mission  was  suspected,  and  a  large  bounty  offered  for  his  head. 
While  there  he  was  taken  sick,  and  hearing  that  he  was  suspect 
ed,  concealed  himself  for  a  few  days  in  a  brush  heap,  unable  to 
make  his  escape,  or  even  walk.  Having  suffered  much  from  his 
sickness  and  want  of  nourishment,  and  having  discovered  a  log 
cabin  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  spot  where  he  was  con- 


ADVENTURE  OP  COL.  COCHRAN.          269 

cealed,  the  only  one  in  sight,  he  crept  to  it  on  his  hands  and 
knees,  for  the  purpose  of  soliciting  assistance.  On  his  approach 
to  the  rear  of  the  cabin,  he  heard  three  men  in  earnest  conversa 
tion,  and  it  happened  that  he  was  the  subject  of  their  discourse. 
Having  heard  of  the  heavy  bounty  offered  for  the  Colonel,  and 
having  seen  a  man  in  the  vicinity  a  few  days  before,  answering 
die  description  of  him,  they  were  forming  their  plans,  and  ex 
pressing  their  determination  to  find  his  whereabouts,  and  take 
him  for  the  sake  of  the  bounty.  One  of  the  men  was  the  owner 
of  the  cabin.  His  wife  was  also  present ;  and  the  others  were 
his  brother  and  brother-in-law.  Soon  after  this  conversation,  the 
three  men  started  in  pursuit.  He  crept  into  the  cabin,  and 
frankly  told  the  woman,  who  seemed  favorably  impressed  towards 
him  on  account  of  his  almost  helpless  condition,  that  he  had 
overheard  the  conversation ;  that  he  was  the  man  of  whom  they 
\vere  in  search ;  and  that  he  should  throw  himself  entirely  upon 
her  rnercy,  trusting  to  her  fidelity  for  protection.  This  she  very 
kindly  promised  him,  to  the  utmost  of  her  ability.  Having  re 
ceived  some  restoratives,  which  seemed  to  give  relief,  and  taken 
suitable  nourishment,  he  lay  down  on  a  bed  in  the  room,  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  some  repose.  After  the  men  had  been  absent 
about  three  hours,  they  returned  ;  when  she  concealed  him  in  a 
closet  by  the  side  of  the  fire-place,  taking  good  care,  while  the 
men  were  in  the  house,  to  keep  near  it,  that  if  anything  should 
be  wanted  from  within,  she  might  be  ready  to  get  it  herself. 
During  the  time  the  men  were  in  the  house,  they  expressed  much 
confidence  in  the  belief  that  the  Colonel  was  concealed  somewhere 
in  the  vicinity,  and  named  many  places  in  which  they  intended 
to  look  for  him.  Having  taken  some  food,  and  otherwise  pre 
pared  themselves,  the  men  departed  to  renew  their  search. 


270  ANECDOTES    OF    SERGEANT    MC  DONALL-. 

"  Soon  after  they  retired,  the  woman,  not  considering  the  Colo 
nel's  present  situation  .safe,  proposed  that  he  should  conceal 
himself  at  some  distance  from  the  cabin,  where  she  might  secretly 
bring  him  food,  and  render  such  other  assistance  as  he  needed. 
She  accordingly  directed  him  to  take  post  on  a  certain  hill,  about 
half  a  mile  distant,  where  he  might  be  able  to  discover  any  per 
son's  approach,  and  to  flee,  if  he  was  able,  should  it  become 
necessary.  He  manifested  an  inclination  to  resume  his  former 
position  in  the  brush  heap,  which  was  in  the  midst  of  a  patch  of 
ground  that  had  been  cut  over  for  a  fallow  ;  but  she  told  him  her 
husband  intended  to  burn  it  the  next  day,  arid  in  that  case  he 
would  be  certainly  discovered,  or  perish  in  the  conflagration.  He 
then  submitted  entirely  to  her  directions,  and  crept  along  to  the 
hill  in  the  best  way  he  could.  He  remained  some  time  in  this 
place  of  concealment,  undiscovered  by  any  one  except  this  faithful 
Rahab  of  the  forest,  who,  like  the  good  Samaritan,  poured  in  the 
oil  and  wine,  until  his  strength  was  in  a  measure  restored,  and  he 
was  enabled  to  return  to  his  country  and  his  home. 

"  Some  years  after  the  close  of  the  war,  and  while  the  Colonel 
lived  at  Ticonderoga,  he  accidentally  met  with  this  kind-hearted 
woman,  and  rewarded  her  handsomely  for  her  fidelity." 


ANECDOTES  OF  SERGEANT  McDONALD. 

SERGEANT  MCDONALD  was  another  of  those  daring  spirits  whose 
exploits  have  been  so  intimately  connected  with  the  name  of 
Marion.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  wonderful  coolness  and 
daring,  for  a  keen  sagacity,  and  for  great  strength  and  agility. 


ANECDOTES    OF    SERGEANT    MC   DONALD.  271 

In  one  of  Marion's  numerous  encounters  with  the  enemy,  when 
commanded  by  Major  Gainey,  lie  was  victorious,  and  his  enemies 
put  to  flight.  "  Great  expectations,"  says  Simms,  "  were  formed 
of  Gainey's  ability  to  cope  with  Marion.  On  this  occasion,  though 
he  made  his  escape,  his  mode  of  doing  so  was  characterized  by  a 
peculiar  circumstance,  which  rendered  it  particularly  amusing  to 
one  side,  and  annoying  to  the  other.  He  was  singled  out  in  the 
chase  by  McDonald,  who  was  admirably  mounted.  f  Gainey  was 
fortunate  in  being  well  mounted,  also.  McDonald,  regarding  but 
the  one  enemy,  passed  all  others.  He  himself  said  that  he  could 
have  slain  several  in  the  chase.  But  he  wished  for  no  meaner 
object  than  their  leader.  One  man  alone,  who  threw  himself  in 
the  way  of  pursuit,  became  its  victim.  Him  he  shot  down,  and, 
as  they  went  at  full  speed  down  the  Black  river  road,  at  the 
corner  of  Richmond  fence,  the  sergeant  had  gained  so  iar  upon 
his  enemy,  as  to  be  able  to  plunge  his  bayonet  into  his  back.  The 
steel  separated  from  his  gun,  and,  with  no  time  to  extricate  it, 
Gaiuey  rushed  into  Georgetown,  with  the  weapon  still  conspicu 
ously  showing  how  close  and  eager  had  been  the  chase,  and 
how  narrow  the  escape.  The  wound  was  not  fatal." 

In  Col.  Watson's  expedition  against  Marion,  while  pressing 
hard  upon  the  partisan  chief,  among  the  captures  of  the  British 
commander,  was  the  entire  wardrobe  of  McDonald.  The  ser 
geant  felt  that  it  was  a  point  of  honor  that  he  should  recover  his 
clothes.  He  despatched  a  messenger,  with  a  flag,  to  Watson, 
demanding  his  property,  and  at  the  same  time  gravely  assuring 
him  that  if  his  clothes  were  not  returned,  he  would  kill  eight  of 
his  men.  Watson,  irritated  by  a  late  defeat,  was  furious  at  the 
absurd  and  audacious  message.  He  contemptuously  ordered  the 
messenger  to  return  ;  but  some  of  his  officers,  aware  of  the 


A     ROMANTIC     INCIDENT. 

character  of  McDonald,  urged  that  the  clothes  might  be  returned 
to  the  partisan,  as  he  would  be  sure  to  keep  his  word  if  they 
were  not.  Watson  yielded,  and  when  the  messenger  returned  to 
McDonald,  he  said,  "  You  may  now  tell  Col.  Watson  that  I  will 
kill  but  four  of  his  men." 


A  ROMANTIC  INCIDENT. 

IN  the  British  station  at  Georgetown,  South  Carolina,  was  an 
English  adjutant,  by  the  name  of  Crookshanks — not  a  poetical 
name  certainly,  but,  as  the  reader  will  see,  his  name  did  not  pre 
vent  him  from  being  placed  in  a  very  romantic  situation,  and 
which  only  ought  to  have  happened  a  few  centuries  ago,  to  have 
secured  for  all  the  parties  concerned,  a  lasting  fame  in  poetry,  and 
made  them  the  envied  of  all  romance  worshippers. 

There  lived  in  Georgetown,  a  fair  daughter  of  a  rebel  publican, 
whose  bright  eye  proved  a  strong  attraction  to  the  English  offi 
cers,  who  crowded  her  father's  inn,  and  rivalled  each  other  in 
their  efforts  to  \vin  the  smiles  of  the  rebel  maid.  But  to  one  alone 
did  she  incline,  and  it  soon  became  noted  how  the  happy  adjutant 
frequented  the  presence  of  his  mistress,  and  with  what  delight  he 
sought  out  her  society.  Ix>ve  sprang  up  between  them,  and  after 
a  time  they  became  solemnly  affianced.  But  their  future  was 
unpromising ;  the  war  gave  no  promise  of  a  rapid  end,  and  their 
opposition  in  principles,  which  the  prejudices  of  their  education 
could  not  remove,  threatened  them  continually  with  a  painful  se 
paration.  In  the  peaceful  enjoyment,  however,  of  the  present, 
they  drowned  all  dread  of  evil  in  the  future. 


HEROISM    OF    A    YOUXQ    GIRL.  273 

One  night  the  adjutant,  and  several  of  his  comrades,  slept  under 
the  rebel  inn  keeper's  roof.  It  chanced  to  be  the  very  occasion 
when  Georgetown  was  surprised  by  the  whigs.  At  early  morn, 
the  young  lady  was  suddenly  awakened  by  the  reports  of  muskets, 
the  clashing  of  swords,  and  the  shouts  of  combatants,  among 
which  she  recognized  her  lover's  voice.  In  the  greatest  alarm, 
she  sprang  from  her  bed,  and  rushed,  half  dressed,  out  upon  the 
piazza,  where,  to  her  terror,  she  saw  her  lover  surrounded  by  a 
body  of  her  countrymen,  whose  swords  already  hung  suspended 
above  his  head,  and  threatening  him  with  instant  destruction. 
With  a  quick  cry  she  sprang  forward,  rushed  before  the  swords 
of  his  assailants,  and  threw  herself  upon  his  neck,  exclaiming,  "  0 
save !  save  Major  Crookshanks  !"  The  sudden  appearance  of 
such  a  protector,  coupled  with  admiration  for  her  heroism,  com 
pletely  disarmed  his  opponents.  He  was  taken  prisoner,  but  re 
leased  on  his  parole,  and  suffered  to  remain  with  his  betrothed. 
The  possession  of  so  brave  and  true-hearted  a  woman,  and  the 
remembrance  of  this  signal  deliverance,  no  doubt,  contributed  in 
after  years  to  the  worthy  adjutant's  happiness. 


HEROISM  OF  A  YOUNG  GIRL. 

MR.  ROBERT  GIBBES,  a  gentleman  earnestly  devoted  to  the  pa 
triotic  cause,  was  the  owner  of  a  plantation  on  the  Stono,  a  few 
miles  from  Charleston,  on  which,  on  a  certain  occasion,  a  Hessian 
battalion  encamped,  compelling  the  family  to  surrender  to  their 
use  the  lower  part  of  the  mansion,  and  to  confine  themselves  in 
the  upper  story.  While  here  on  one  dark-  and  stormy  evening, 


274  HEROISM    OF  A    YOUNG   GIRL. 

two  gallies  appeared,  ascending  the  river,  which  forthwith  began 
a  most  destructive  fire  upon  the  Hessian  encampment.  The  house 
appeared  particularly  exposed,  although  the  vessels  had  been  com 
manded  to  avoid  firing  upon  it,  and  to  confine  their  attack  to  the 
enemy's  encampment.  Of  this  Mr.  Gibbes  was  not  aware,  and 
with  the  permission  of  the  English  commander,  he  set  out,  al 
though  suffering  acutely  from  an  infirmity,  and  with  his  nume 
rous  family,  hastened  to  the  protection  of  a  neighboring  planta 
tion.  The  balls  were  falling  thick  and  fast,  sometimes  scattering 
dirt  and  sand  over  the  party,  while  their  loud  whizzing,  mingled 
with  the  fury  of  the  distant  affray,  rendered  the  scene  one  of  dan 
ger  and  terror.  But  scarcely  had  they  proceeded  so  far  as  to  be 
out  of  danger  from  the  balls,  when  to  their  unutterable  agouv 
they  discovered,  that  in  the  confusion  and  Lurry  of  departure,  an 
infant  had  been  left  behind.  To  leave  the  child  alone  in  his  dan 
ger  was  impossible,  and  to  return  for  him  was  an  attempt  of  im 
minent  peril.  Mr.  Gibbes  was  suffering  under  an  infirmity  that 
made  his  movements  exceedingly  slow  and  painful,  and  there 
fore  it  was  impracticable  for  him  to  return.  The  frightened  and 
chattering  servants,  stood  trembling  around,  looking  from  one  to 
the  other  in  bewildering  despair.  Of  all  the  rest  of  the  party, 
saving  Mrs.  Gibbes,  who  was  severely  indisposed,  none  were  above 
the  age  of  childhood.  While  thus  undecided,  Miss  Mary  Ann 
Gibbes,  but  thirteen  years  of  age,  sprang  forward  and  heroically 
offered  to  go  for  the  lad,  who  was  a  son  of  Mrs.  Fenwick,  Mrs 
Gibbes'  sister-in-law.  The  night  was  dark  and  stormy,  the  dis 
tance  considerable,  and  the  whole  space  swept  by  the  cannon  of 
the  assailant.  But  without  fear  she  retraced  the  way,  and  reach 
ed  the  house  without  injury,  where  the  scene  was  one  of  unmin- 
gled  terror.  Undismayed  by  the  thundering  of  the  emwon.  the 


A    SPY     IX    BURGOYNES    CAMP.  275 

crashing  of  the  balls,  the  shrieks,  shouts  and  imprecations  of  the 
combatants,  she  sprang  to  the  door  with  the  intention  of  entering 
when  she  wras  brutally  refused  by  the  sentinel.  But  tears,  en 
treaties,  and  the  natural  eloquence  prompted  by  her  heroism,  and 
the  high  purpose  on  which  she  was  bent,  overcome  his  opposi 
tion,  and  she  was  permitted  to  enter.  With  rapid  steps  she  as 
cended  to  the  third  story,  and  'finding  the  child  there  in  safety, 
she  clasped  it  to  her  bosom,  and  hastened  to  overtake  her  retreat 
ing  family,  her  course,  as  before,  full  of  danger,  and  often  the 
ploughing  balls  would  scatter  clouds  of  dust  over  her  person. 
Uninjured,  her  perilous  journey  was  performed,  and  when  she 
reached  her  friends,  she  was  welcomed  by  shouts  of  enthusiasm 
and  admiration.  This  intrepid  action,  worthy  of  an  adult,  and  all 
glorious  in  a  child,  borrows  a  fair  share  of  romance  by  the  reflec 
tion  that  the  child  thus  saved,  afterwards  became  Lieutenant  Co 
lonel  Fenwick,  so  highly  distinguished  by  his  services  in  the  last 
war  with  Great  Britain. 


A  SPY   IN   BURGOYNE'S   CAMP. 

CHRISTOPHER  FISHER,  was  selected  by  General  Gates,  to  go  into 
Burgoyne's  army  as  a  spy,  whose  mission  was  to  circulate  letters 
among  the  Hessian  soldiers,  to  induce  them  to  desert,  and  to  bring 
on  an  engagement  in  such  a  manner  as  Gates  desired.  Fisher's 
mode  of  proceeding  was  related  by  himself,  to  an  American  offi 
cer,  by  whom  it  was  communicated  to  the  author  of  the  "  History 
of  Schoharie  County."  Fisher  stated,  that  on  the  day  appointed, 
he  approached  the  enemy's  picket,  with  a  sheep  upon  his  back 


276  A   tJPV    IX     HUROOYNE  S    CAMP. 

which  had  been  killed  for  the  occasion.  Upon  being  hailed  by 
the  guard,  and  demanded  his  business,  Fisher  replied,  "  that  the 
Yankees  had  destroyed  all  his  property  but  one  sheep,  which  he 
had  killed,  and  was  then  taking  to  his  freiuds."  Upon  this  re 
port,  he  was  delivered  over  by  the  sentinel  into  the  keeping  of 
an  officer.  When  asked  what  proof  he  could  give,  that  he  was 
not  deceiving,  Fisher  replied  that,  "  the  rebel's  are  preparing  to 
give  you  battle,  and  if  you  will  go  with  me,  I  will  convince  you 
of  it's  truth."  The  officer  accompanied  Fisher  to  a  certain  place 
in  view,  of  which  was  a  wood.  Here  had  been  stationed,  agree 
able  to  the  order  of  Gates,  a  company  of  Morgan's  riflemen,  who 
were  to  exhibit  themselves  in  a  stealthy  manner.  The  riflemen 
wore  frocks,  and  were  easily  distinguished.  "There — there/1 
says  Fisher,  "  don't  you  see  them  devils  of  Morgan's  dodging 
about  among  the  trees  f  The  movements  of  the  American  rifle 
men,  were  indeed  visible  enough  to  the  English  officer.  When 
urged  to  enlist  in  the  British  service,  Fisher  pleaded  an  aversion 
to  a  war,  and  declared  it  necessary  to  return  home  to  protect  his 
family  against  the  rebels.  He  was  allowed  to  depart  for  the  army 
on  his  pleasure,  and  soon  embraced  an  opportunity.  A  company 
of  British  troops  was  sent  to  dislodge  the  riflemen,  which  brought 
on  a  general  engagement,  and  thus  the  spy  succeeded  to  the 
wishes  of  Gates.  Another  object  of  Fisher's  mission  was  also  ef 
fected.  The  letters  circulated  among  the  Hessians,  had  a  good 
effect,  and  many  of  them  deserted  from  the  British  army,  either 
entering  the  American  service,  or  settling  down  as  good  citizens. 


CAPTURE*,    OF    A    TORY.  27? 


CAPTURE  OF  A  TORY. 

GEORGE  CUCK,  a  notorious  tory,  who  was  engaged  with  the 
enemy  at  Oriskany,  and  in  their  attack  upon  Cherry  Valley,  en 
tered  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  in  the  spring  of  1779,  to  secure 
the  scalps  of  Captain  James  Gardinier,  and  Lieut  Quackenboss, 
two  efficient  whigs,  for  which  the  enemy  had  offered  a  large 
bounty.  He  was  concealed  in  the  house  of  one  Van  Zuyler,  a 
tory  friend,  who  lived  in  the  town  of  Glen.  This  Van  Zuyler  had 
three  daughters,  of  whom  certain  whigs  became  enamoured.  One 
of  these,  James  Cromwell,  on  one  occasion,  went  over  to  pay  his 
devotion  to  the  charms  of  his  Dulcinea,  and  accompanied  her  to 
the  sugar  bush,  to  assist  her  in  the  annual  labor  of  boiling  the 
sap  of  the  maple  for  sugar.  While  here  a  mutual  interchange  of 
confidence  took  place,  and  among  other  things,  the  young  lady 
confided  to  her  lover,  the  secret,  that  the  tory  Cuck,  was  concealed 
in  her  father's  house,  and  was  always  secreted  under  the  floor 
when  there  were  any  visitors.  Cromwell  received  this  informa 
tion  with  astonishment,  and  in  a  very  little  while  made  an  excuse 
for  departing.  He  hurried  to  Captain  Gardinier  and  communi 
cated  this  intelligence.  That  very  night  a  dozen  of  whigs  were 
assembled,  and  the  charge  of  capturing  the  tory  entrusted  to 
Lieut.  Quackenboss.  As  Cuck  was  a  desperado,  and  a  terror  to 
the  whole  neighborhood,  Quackenboss  was  instructed  to  capture 
or  kill  him  at  all  hazards. 

The  party  set  forward  with  alacrity.  When  they  were  within 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  house,  they  halted,  and  Quackenboss 
in  a  brief  and  spirited  speech,  informed  them  of  the  object  of 
the  expedition,  and  he  concluded  by  stating,  that  as  Cuck  was  a 


278  CAPTURE  OF    A    TORY. 

bold  and  desperate  fellow,  and  doubtless  well  armed,  some  of 
them  would  probably  fall  beneath  his  hand.  He,  therefore,  only, 
wanted  volunteers  to  accompany  him,  and  all  who  did  not  wish 
to  engage  in  so  desperate  and  enterprise  were  at  liberty  to  re 
turn.  The  whole  party  without  exception,  declared  their  readi 
ness  to  accompany  their  leader.  The  plan  for  proceeding  was 
now  determined  on.  It  was  agreed  the  party  should  separate 
and  approach  the  house  in  different  directions,  so  as  not  to  excite 
suspicion.  Quackenboss  and  three  others  approached  the  house 
from  the  front,  and  as  they  did  so,  they  were  greeted  with  the 
yelping  of  the  watch-dog,  which  caused  the  opening  of  a  little 
slide  for  observation,  by  a  member  of  the  family  ;  but  seeing  only 
four  persons,  the  inmates  supposed  they  were  sugar  makers.  On 
reaching  the  door,  and  finding  it  fastened,  the  soldiers  burst  it 
open,  and  rushed  into  the  house,  much  to  the  surprise  and  confu 
sion  of  the  family.  "  What  do  you  want  here  ?"  demanded  Van 
Zuyler.  "  The  tory  George  Cuck,"  was  the  reply.  Van  Zuyler 
said  he  was  not  in  the  house,  but  the  assailants  proceeded  to  the 
search.  The  other  parties  had  now  entered.  There  was  a  dark 
stairway  leading  to  an  upper  room  in  which  it  was  thought  the 
object  of  their  search  might  be  concealed.  As  one  of  the  party 
was  about  ascending  the  stairs,  Quackenboss  drew  a  large  chest 
from  the  wall,  when  suddenly  out  sprang  Cuck,  from  a  hole  in 
the  floor,  discharging  a  pistol  at  the  party,  but  at  the  same  mo 
ment  a  bullet  from  the  wary  lieutenant  entered  his  head,  and  he 
pitched  forward  upon  the  floor.  The  suddenness  of  his  appear 
ance  had  completely  paralised  most  of  the  party,  and  the  one  who 
was  ascending  the  stairs,  was  so  startled  by  the  sudden  and  rapid 
firing,  that  he  came  near  tumbling  back  to  the  ground.  Cuck  was 
not  yet  dead,  and  one  of  the  party  placed  the  muzzle  of  his  gun 


CAPTAIN   BUDDY.  279 

to  his  head,  and  blew  his  brains  out.  Thus  fell  the  man  who  had 
imbrued  his  hands  in  the  blood  of  his  neighbors  and  countrymen, 
llad  not  the  party  divided  into  separate  squads  and  obtained  en 
trance  into  the  house  before  their  object  was  known,  his  capture 
would  doubtless  have  been  only  obtained  at  a  great  loss,  for  he 
was  thoroughly  prepared  for  a  desperate  resistance.  As  it  was 
the  rapidity  only  with  which  the  work  was  done  saved  many  valu 
able  lives.* 


CAPTAIN   HUDDY. 

AMONG  those  whose  active  zeal,  and  daring  deeds  made  them 
objects  of  terror  to  the  enemy,  was  Captain  Joshua  Huddy,  who 
figured  conspicuously  in  various  encounters  in  Monmouth  county, 
and  otner  parts  of  New  Jersey.  His  dwelling  was  situated  at 
Colt's  Xeck,  about  five  miles  from  Freehold.  Here  in  the  sum 
mer  of  1*780,  he  was  attacked  by  a  party  of  about  sixty  refugees 
commanded  by  one  Tye,  or  Col.  Tye  as  he  was  commonly  called, 
who  was  a  mulatto,  and  a  daring  fellow.  He  usually  commanded 
a  mongrel  crew  of  negroes  and  tories,  and  was  much  feared 
through  that  section  of  the  country.  He  is  represented  to  have 
been  a  brave  and  an  honorable  man,  and  was  far  more  respected 
as  an  enemy,  than  many  of  his  brethren  of  a  fairer  complexion. 
On  the  occasion  of  this  attack,  Huddy  had  no  other  assistance  but 
a  young  servant  girl,  but  with  his  weak  aid,  he  managed  to  de 
fend  the  house  for  some  length  of  time  against  the  assailants. 


History  of  Schoharie  Comity, 


280  CAPTAIN  HUDDY. 

Several  muskets  had  fortunately  been  left  in  the  house  by  the 
guard,  generally  stationed  there,  but  at  this  time  absent.  These 
the  girl  loaded,  while  Huddy,  by  appearing  at  different  windows, 
and  discharging  them,  gave  the  impression  that  there  were  many 
defenders.  He  wounded  several,  and  while  Tye,  their  leader,  was 
setting  fire  to  the  house,  he  shot  him  in  the  neck.  Tye  afterwards 
died  of  lockjaw  occasioned  by  this  wound.  The  flames  now  be 
gan  to  increase  so  rapidly,  that  all  hopes  of  maintaining  the  build 
ing  against  the  foes  were  at  an  end,  and  Huddy  agreed  to  sur 
render,  provided  they  would  extinguish  the  fire. 

When  the  enemy  entered  the  building,  they  were  much  exas 
perated  at  the  feebleness  of  its  defenders,  and  were  only  restrained 
by  their  leader  from  butchering  them  on  the  spot.  The  militia 
now  collecting,  they  were  obliged  to  retreat,  carrying  Huddy  with 
them.  Their  boats  were  stationed  near  Black  Point,  between 
Shrewsbury  and  Nivisink  rivers,  which  they  reached  with  all  pos 
sible  speed.  As  they  pushed  off  from  the  shore,  Huddy  jumped 
overboard,  and  was  shot  in  the  thigh,  as  was  supposed  by  the  mi 
litia,  then  in  close  pursuit.  He  held  up  one  of  his  hands  toward 
them,  exclaiming,  "  /  am  Huddy  !  I  am  Huddy  /"  swam  to  the 
shore,  and  escaped. 

In  March,  1782,  about  two  years  after  the  above  incident, 
Huddy  commanded  a  block  house  at  Tom's  river,  which  was  at 
tacked  by  a  party  of  refugees  from  NCAV  York,  and  taken,  after 
the  ammunition  was  expended,  and  no  alternative  but  surrender 
left.  After  the  little  brave  garrison  was  in  the  power  of  the 
enemy,  they  deliberately  murdered  five  men,  even  while  they 
were  asking  for  quarters.  The  prisoners  were  carried  to  New 
York,  from  which  place  Huddy  was  taken  on  board  of  a  guard 
ship,  heavily  ironed,  and  thrown  into  the  hold  of  the  vessel. 


COLONEL    FISHER.  281 

While  confined,  lie  was  informed  by  one  of  the  refugees  that 
he  was  to  be  hanged,  "  for  lie  had  taken  a  certain  Phillip  White, 
a  refugee  in  Monmouth  Co.,  cut  off  both  his  arms,  broke  his  legs, 
pulled  out  one  of  his  eyes,  damned  him,  and  then  bid  him  run." 
He  answered,  "  it  is  impossible  I  could  have  taken  Phillip  White 
I  being  a  prisoner  in  Xew  York  at  the  time,  closely  confined,  and 
for  many  days  before  he  was  made  prisoner."  Some  of  his  com 
rades  confirmed  this  statement.  Notwithstanding  this,  four  days 
after  (April  12th)  he  was  dragged  from  his  prison,  and  conveyed 
by  Captain  Lippencott,  commanding  a  company  of  sixteen  refu 
gees,  to  Gravelly  Point,  on  the  sea  shore,  at  the  foot  of  Neversink 
hills,  when  he  was  deliberately  and  barbarously  executed.  He 
made  his  will  beneath  the  gallows  with  quiet  composure,  then 
mounted  the  barrel,  and  met  his  fate  with  an  admirable  and 
undisturbed  firmness. 

For  this  deliberate  murder,  Washington  resolved  upon  retalia 
tion,  and  a  correspondence  to  this  effect  was  opened  with  Sir 
Henry  Clinton.  Capt.  Lippencott  was  court-martialed,  but  was 
acquitted,  as  it  appeared  that  he  acted  under  orders.  The  speedy 
termination  of  the  war,  prevented  Washington's  plan  of  retalia 
tion  from  being  carried  out 


COLONEL  FISHER. 

A  PARTY  of  Indians,  some  twenty  in  number,  attacked,  on  one 
of  their  incursions  into  the  Mohawk  Valley,  the  homestead  of 
Col.  Fisher.  They  attempted  to  gain  admittance  into  the  houso 
by  cutting  in  the  door,  but  being  fired  upon  from  a  window,  they 


282  COLONEL    FISHER. 

retreated  around  the  corner  of  the  house,  where  they  were  less 
exposed,  and  were  soon  after  joined  by  the  main  body  of  the 
enemy,  some  three  hundred  in  number.     An  entrance  was  soon 
effected,  but  Col.  Fisher  and  his  brothers  still  defended  the  house, 
and  a  melee  followed  on  the  stairway.     On   their   attempting  to 
ascend,  several  balls  were  fired  up  through  the  floor,  but  without 
effect.     At  this  period  the  sisters  escaped  from  the  cellar  kitchen, 
and  fled  to  the  woods.     Mrs.  Fisher  in  attempting  to  follow  them, 
was  struck  down  by  a  blow  from  the  butt  of  a  musket.     The 
ammunition  of  the  brothers  was  now   exhausted,  and  their  castle 
no  longer  tenable.     Harman  Fisher  jumped  from  a  back  window, 
with  the  hope  of  escaping  by   flight,  but  just  as   he  was  about 
leaping  a  garden  fence,  the  fatal  bullet  overtook  him,  and  in  a 
moment  more  the  tomahawk  had  finished  the  work,  and  his  scalp 
was  seized  upon  as  a  trophy.     As  the  enemy  ascended  the  stairs. 
Col.  Fisher  discharged  a  pistol  he  held  in  his  hand,  and  calling 
for  quarters,  threw  it  behind  him,  in  token  of  submission.     An 
Indian  ran  up,  and  struck  him  down  with  a  tomahawk.     He  fell 
upon  his  face,  and  the  Indian  after  scalping  him,  inflicted  with 
his  knife  a  gash  in  the  back  of  the  neck,  and  then   turned  him 
over  with  the  intention  of  cutting  his  throat,  but  his  cravat  pre 
vented  it,  the  knife  only  entering  just  through  the  skin.     His 
brother,  Capt.  Fisher,  as  the  enemy  ascended  the  stairs  retreated 
to  one  corner  of  the  room,  but  an  Indian  hurled   a  tomahawk  at 
him,  which  brought  him  down,   and  he   was  then   killed   and 
scalped.      The  house  was  then    plundered  and    fired,  and  the 
savages  departed.      In  a  short  time  the  consciousness  of  Col. 
Fisher  returned.     He  soon  discovered  the  dead  body  of  his  brother, 
and  also  that  the  house  was  on  fire.     With  great  difficulty  he 
succeeded  in  dragging  his  brother's  body  from  the  building.     At 


COLONEL     FISHER.  283 

the  door  he  found  his  mother,  faint  from  the  blow  dealt  on  her 
head,  and  too  weak  to  render  him  any  assistance.  With  almost 
incredible  exertions,  weak  as  he  was  from  his  numerous  wounds, 
lie  succeeded  in  getting  the  body  and  his  mother  from  the  build 
ing,  and  securing  a  bed,  he  dragged  it  from  the  flames  to  a  little 
distance  from  the  house,  and  threw  himself  upon  it  in  an  utter 
state  of  exhaustion.  A  negro  slave  belonging  to  one  of  the 
neighbors,  soon  after  arrived  at  the  spot.  He  inquired  of  the 
Colonel  what  he  should  do  for  him.  Fisher,  too  weak  to  speak, 
signified  by  signs  his  desire  for  water.  Tom,  for  that  was  the 
negro's  name,  hastened  to  procure  water  for  the  wounded  man, 
arid  while  engaged  in  this  act  of  kindness,  a  tory  neighbor  ap 
proaching,  was  applied  to  for  assistance,  but  who  only  replied, 
"  let  the  cursed  rebel  die."  As  soon  as  the  Colonel  could  speak, 
he  directed  Tom  to  harness  a  span  of  colts  then  in  pasture,  which, 
from  the  fogginess  of  the  morning,  had  escaped  the  notice  of 
the  enemy.  Tom  harnessed  them  to  a  wagon,  in  which  the 
bodies  of  the  murdered  brothers,  and  the  Colonel  and  his  mother 
were  placed,  and  they  were  driven  to  a  place  of  safety.  Singular 
to  state,  the  severe  wounds  of  Col.  Fisher  all  healed,  and  he  lived 
until  1809,  when  he  died  of  a  complaint  in  the  head,  caused,  no 
doubt,  by  the  loss  of  his  scalp. 


284  AN    ESCAPE     PROM 


AN   ESCAPE  FROM  THE  PRISON  SHIP. 

"  I  WAS  one  of  eight  hundred  and  fifty  souls  confined  in  the 
Jersey,  in  the  summer  of  '81,  and  witnessed  several  daring  at 
tempts  to  escape.  They  generally  ended  tragically.  They  were 
always  undertaken  in  the  night,  after  wrenching  or  filing  the  bars 
off  the  port-holes.  Having  been  on  board  several  weeks,  and 
goaded  to  death  in  various  ways,  four  of  us  concluded  to  run  the 
hazard.  We  set  to  work  and  got  the  bars  off,  and  waited  impa^ 
tiently  for  a  dark  night ;  we  lay  in  front  of  Mr.  Remsen's  door 
inside  of  the  pier  head,  and  not  more  than  twenty  yards  distant. 
There  were  two  guard  sloops,  one  on  our  bow  and  the  other  oft 
our  quarter,  a  short  distance  from  us.  The  dark  night  came — the 
first  two  were  lowered  quietly  into  the  water — the  third  made 
some  rumbling.  I  was  the  fourth  that  descended,  but  had  not 
struck  off  from  the  veseel  before  the  guards  were  alarmed,  and 
fired  upon  us.  The  alarm  became  general,  and  T  was  immedi 
ately  hauled  on  board.  They  manned  their  boats,  and  with  their 
lights  and  implements  of  death,  \v-?re  quick  in  pursuit  of  the 
unfortunates,  cursing  and  swearing,  and  bellowing  and  firing. 
It  was  awful  to  witness  this  scene  of  blood.  It  lasted  about  ono 
hour — ail  on  board  trembling  for  our  shipmates.  These  despe 
radoes  returned  to  their  different  vessels  rejoicing  that  they  killed 
three  d d  rebels. 

"About  three  years  after  this  I  saw  a  gentleman  in  John  street, 
near  Nassau,  who  accosted  me  thus : — '  Manley,  how  do  you  do  ?' 
I  could  not  recollect  him.  'is  it  possible  you  do  not  know  me ? 
recollect  the  old  Jersey,'  and  he  opened  his  vest  and  bared  his 
1  immediately  said  to  him,  '  You  are  James  M'Clean.' 


THE    PRISON    SHIP.  286 

*  I  am,'  he  replied.    We  both  stepped  into  Marrener's  public  house, 
at  the  corner,  and  he  related  his  marvelous  escape  to  me. 

"  *  They  pursued  me — I  frequently  dived  to  evade  them,  and 
when  I  came  up,  they  fired  on  me.  I  caught  my  breath,  and  im 
mediately  dove  again,  and  held  my  breath,  till  I  crawled  along 
the  mud.  They  no  doubt  thought  they  killed  me.  I,  however, 
with  much  exertion,  though  weak  and  wounded,  made  out  to 
reach  the  shore,  and  got  into  H  barn,  not  far  from  the  ship,  a 
little  north  from  Mr.  Remsen's  house.  The  farmer,  the  next 
morning,  came  into  his  barn — saw  me  lying  on  the  floor,  and  ran 
out  in  a  fright.  I  begged  him  to  come  to  me,  and  he  did.  I 
gave  an  account  of  myself — where  I  was  from — how  I  was  pur 
sued,  with  several  others.  He  saw  my  wounds ;  took  pity  on 
me ;  sent  for  his  wife,  and  bound  up  my  wounds,  and  kept  me 
in  the  barn  till  nightfall — took  me  into  his  house — nursed  me 
secretly,  and  then  furnished  me  with  clothing,  £c. ;  and  when  I 
was  restored,  he  took  me  with  him,  into  his  market  boat,  to  this 
city,  and  went  with  ine  to  the  went  part  of  the  city — procured  me 
a  passage  over  to  Bergen,  and  I  landed  somewhere  in  Communi- 
paw.  Some  friends  helped  me  across  Newark  bay,  and  then  I 
worked  my  way,  until  I  reached  Baltimore,  to  the  great  joy  of 
all  my  friends.'  "* 


Revolutionary  Incidents  of  Long  Island. 


286 


A    DARING    YOUTH- 


A  DARING  YOUTH. 

THE  annexed  incident  which  occured  in  Freehold,  N.  J.,  evinces 
an  act  of  bravery  in  a  mere  youth,  that  renders  it  worthy  of 
record. 

"  On  a  fine  morning  in  May,  1780,  as  the  family  of  Mr.  David 
Firman,  sheriff  of  the  county,  were  at  breakfast,  a  soldier  almost 
out  of  breath  suddenly  burst  into  the  room,  and  stated,  that  as  he 
and  another  soldier  were  conducting  to  the  court-house  two  men, 
taken  up  on  suspicion  at  Colt's  Neck,  they  had  knocked  down 
his  comrade,  seized  his  musket,  and  escaped.  The  sheriff,  on 
hearing  this  relation,  immediately  mounted  his  horse,  and  gal 
loped  to  the  court-house  to  alarm  the  guard.  His  son  Tunis,  a 
lad  of  about  seventeen,  and  small  of  his  age,  seized  a  muskst, 
loaded  only  with  small  shot  to  kill  blackbirds  in  the  cornfields, 
and  putting  on  a  cartridge-box,  despatched  his  brother  Samuel 
up  stairs  for  the  bayonet,  and  then,  without  waiting  for  it,  hurried 
off  alone  in  the  pursuit. 

l'  After  running  in  a  westerly  direction  about  a  mile,  he  dis 
covered  the  men  sitting  on  a  fence,  who,  on  perceiving  him,  ran 
into  a  swamp.  As  the  morning  was  warm,  he  hastily  pulled  off 
his  coat  and  shoes,  and  darted  in  after  them,  keeping  close  upon 
them  for  over  a  mile,  when  they  got  out  of  the  swamp,  and  each 
climbed  into  separate  trees.  As  he  came  up,  they  discharged  at 
him  the  musket  taken  from  the  guard.  The  ball  whistled  over 
his  head.  He  felt  for  his  bayonet,  and,  at  that  moment,  perceived 
that,  in  his  haste,  it  was  left  behind.  He  then  pointed  his  gun 
at  the  man  with  the  musket,  but  deemed  it  imprudent  to  fire,  re 
flecting,  even  if  he  killed  him,  his  comrade  could  easily  master 


A    DARING    YOUTH.  287 

such  a  stripling  as  himself.  He  compelled  the  man  to  throw 
down  the  musket,  by  threatening  him  with  death  if  he  did  not 
instantly  comply.  Then,  loading  the  fuzee  from  his  cartridge-box, 
he  forced  his  prisoners  down  from  the  trees,  and,  armed  with  his 
two  loaded  muskets,  he  drove  them  toward  the  court-house,  care 
ful,  however,  to  keep  them  far  apart,  to  prevent  conversation. 
Passing  by  a  spring,  they  requested  permission  to  drink. 

•* '  No  !'  replied  the  unterrified  boy,  understanding  their  design. 
"  You  can  do  as  well  without  it  as  myself ;  you  shall  have  some 
by-and-by.' 

"  Soon  after,  his  father,  at  the  head  of  a  party  of  soldiers  in 
the  pursuit,  galloped  past  in  the  road  within  a  short  distance. 
Tunis  hallooed,  but  the  clattering  of  their  horse's  hoofs  drowned 
his  voice.  At  length  he  reached  the  village,  and  lodged  his  pris 
oners  in  the  county  prison. 

"  It  was  subsequently  discovered  that  these  men  were  brothers, 
from  near  Philadelphia,  that  they  had  robbed  and  murdered  a 
Mr.  Boyd,  a  collector  of  taxes  in  Chester  county,  and,  when  taken, 
were  on  their  way  to  join  the  British.  As  they  had  been  appre 
hended  on  suspicions  merely  of  beng  refugees,  no  definite  charge 
could  be  brought  against  them.  A,  few  days  after,  sheriff  Fir 
man  saw  an  advertisement  in  a  Philadelphia  paper,  describing 
them,  with  the  facts  above  mentioned,  and  a  reward  of  $20,000 
( Continental  money)  offered  for  their  apprehension.  He,  accom 
panied  by  his  son,  took  them  on  there,  where  they  were  tried  and 
executed.  On  entering  Philadelphia,  young  Tunis  was  carried 
through  the  streets  in  triumph  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  military. 
In  the  latter  part  of  the  war,  this  young  man  became  very  active, 
and  was  the  particular  favorite  of  Gen.  David  Forman." 


288  CRUELTY  OF    THE    TORIES. 


CRUELTY  OF  THE  TORIES. 

MANY  stories  are  told  of  the  comparative  kindness  and  cruelty 
of  the  Indians  and  Tories  in  the  Border  Wars  of  the  Revolution. 
The  following  incidents,  from  "'Stone's  Border  Warfare  of  Ne\v 
York,"  will  show  that  the  while  man  often  excelled  in  cruelty,  hi'- 
Indian  ally.  The  Captain  Brant  spoken  of,  was  the  renowned 
Joseph  Brant,  or  Thayendanega,  the  great  leader  of  the  Six  Na 
tions,  and  an  object  of  terror  to  the  western  frontier  of  the  Stnto 
of  New  York.  He  frequently  was  called  "  a  monster." 

"A  lad  in  Schoharie  county,  named  William  M'Kown,  while 
engaged  in  raking  hay  alone  in  a  meadow,  happening  to  turn 
round,  perceived  an  Indian  very  near  him.  Startled  at  hi&  peril 
ous  situation,  he  raised  his  rake  for  defence,  but  his  fears  were 
instantly  dissipated  by  the  savage,  who  said,  '  Do  not  be  afraid, 
young  man  ;  I  shall  not  hurt  you.'  lie  then  inquired  of  the 
youth  for  the  residence  of  a  loyalist  named  Foster.  The  lad  gave 
him  the  proper  direction,  and  inquired  of  the  Indian  whether  he 
knew  Mr.  Foster  ?  '  I  am  partially  acquainted  with  him,'  was  the 
reply,  '  having  once  seen  him  at  the  Half-way  Creek.'  The  In 
dian  then  inquired  the  lad's  name,  and  having  been  informed, 
he  added — 'You  are  a  son  of  Captain  M'Kown,  who  lives  in  the 
northeast  part  of  the  town,  I  suppose :  I  know  your  father  very 
well :  he  lives  neighbor  to  Captain  M'Kean  :  I  know  M'Kean 
very  well,  and  a  very  fine  fellow  he  is,  too.'  Emboldened  by  the 
familiar  discourse  of  the  Indian,  the  lad  ventured  to  ask  his  name 
in  turn.  Hesitating  for  a  moment,  his  rather  unwelcome  visitor 
replied  : — '  My  name  is  Brant !'  '  What !  Captain  Brant  ?'  eager- 


CRUELTY    OF    THE    TORIES.  289 

ly  demanded  the  youtli.  '  Xo :  I  am  a  cousin  of  his,'  was  the 
rejoinder ;  but  accompanied  by  a  smile  and  a  look  that  plainly 
disclosed  the  transparent  deception.  It  was  none  other  than  the 
terrible  Thayendanegea  himself." 

On  the  other  hand,  the  following  tragic  circumstance  sustains 
the  assertion  that  the  Tories  were  oftentimes  more  cruel  than  their 
savage  associates.  While  parties  of  Indians  and  Tories  were 
prowling  about  the  borders  of  Schoharie,  the  Indians  killed  and 
scalped  a  mother,  and  a  large  family  of  children. 

"They  had  just  completed  the  work  of  death,  when  some  loy 
alists  of  the  party  came  up,  and  discovered  an  infant  breathing 
sweetly  in  its  cradle.  An  Indian  warrior,  noted  for  his  barbarity, 
approached  the  cradle  with  his  uplifted  hatchet.  The  babe  looked 
up  in  his  face,  and  smiled  ;  the  feelings  of  nature  triumphed 
over  the  ferocity  of  the  savage ;  the  hatchet  fell  with  his  arm, 
and  he  was  about  stooping  down  to  take  the  innocent  in  his 
arms,  when  one  of  the  loyalists,  cursing  him  for  his  humanity, 
thrust  it  through  with  his  bayonet,  and,  thus  transfixed,  held  it 
up,  struggling  in  the  agonies  of  death,  as  he  •exclaimed — '  this, 
too,  is  a  rebel  /'  " 

Here  is  another  instance  which  proves  that  the  Indian  was 
often  superior  to  his  white  companion  in  warfare,  in  magnanimity 
and  generosity.  Just  after  the  invasion  of  Schoharie  county  by 
Brant,  when  the  enemy  had  departed,  a  crowd  of  inhabitants  were 
gathered  about  Fort  Hunter,  each  with  a  tale  of  sorrow  and  grief. 
Among  them  was  a  young  woman  whose  grief  was  of  the  most 
poignant  kind.  She  had  lost  her  husband,  an  infant,  and  several 
other  members  of  the  family  were  dead,  or  prisoners.  Presently 
a  young  Indian  came  upon  the  scene,  with  a  letter  in  his  hand, 
addressed  "  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  rebel  army,"  and 


290  AFFECTING    SCENES. 

bearing  an  infant  in  his  arms.  The  letter  was  opened  and  read 
as  follows : — 

"  SIR — I  send  you  by  one  of  my  runners,  the  child  which  he 
will  deliver,  that  you  may  know  that  whatever  others  may  do,  / 
do  not  make  war  upon  innocent  children,  I  am  sorry  to  say  I  have 
those  engaged  with  me  in  the  service,  who  are  more  savage  than 
the  savages  themselves." 

This  was  signed  by  Brant  The  infant  was  found  to  belong  to 
the  disconsolate  mother,  and  to  her  overwhelrnning  joy  was  re 
stored  to  her  bosom. 


AFFECTING  SCENES. 

IN  the  massacre  of  Cherry  Valley,  a  Mr.  Mitchell,  while  at  work 
in  a  field,  beheld  a  party  of  Indians  approaching  his  house.  He 
sprang  forward  in  order  to  reach  it,  and  protect  his  family,  but  the 
Indians  reached  itr  before  him,  and  he  was  obliged  to  flee  to  the 
wood.  Although  pursued,  he  evaded  his  enemies  and  escaped. 
Upon  returning,  a  terrible  spectacle  presented  itself — it  was  the 
charred  and  burnt  timbers  of  his  house,  and  in  the  midst  of  the 
ruin,  the  bodies  of  his  wife  and  four  children.  He  flew  to  their 
sides,  and  upon  examination,  found  life  remaining  in  one  of  his 
children,  a  little  girl  of  twelve  years  of  age.  He  raised  her  up 
with  the  hope  of  restoring  her,  when  he  beheld  another  party  of 
the  enemy  approaching.  He  scarcely  had  time  to  hide  himself 
behind  a  log  fence,  before  they  were  at  the  house.  From  his 
hiding  place  he  had  the  inexpressible  anguish  to  witness  an  infa- 


AFFECTING    SCENES.  291 

mous  Tory,  l>y  the  name  of  Newbury,  extinguish  the  little  spark 
of  life  remaining  in  his  child,  by  a  brutal  blow  from  his  hatchet. 
The  next  day  unaided,  he  carried  their  bodies  on  a  sled  to  the 
fort,  and  there  the  soldiers  assisted  him  in  the  melancholy  task 
of  their  burial.  All  that  was  left  of  those  but  a  day  before  gath 
ered  around  him  in  happiness  and  peace,  were  consigned  to  one 
common  grave,  and  he  stood  alone,  bereft  of  every  joy  for  which 
he  had  lived  and  hoped.  But  retributive  justice  is  not  always  si 
lent.  Newbury,  who  had  so  fiendishly  robbed  him  of  his  only 
living  child,  was  afterwards  arrested  as  a  spy,  and  by  the  evidence 
of  Mr.  Mitchell,  was  condemned  and  executed. 

About  the  same  time  of  the  murder  of  Mr.  Mitchell's  family, 
Mrs.  Clyde,  wife  of  Col.  Clyde,  on  the  approach  of  the  Indians, 
collected  together  her  children,  and  fled  to  the  woods.  That  en 
tire  day,  and  all  the  succeeding  night,  she  lay  concealed  under  a 
log,  with  her  children,  and  one  of  them  an  infant,  gathered  around 
her,  with  a  pitiless  storm  of  snow  and  rain  chilling  them  to  the 
bones,  and  the  frightfi  i  yells  of  the  savages,  and  the  shrieks  of 
the  murdered  inhabitants,  falling  fearfully  upon  their  ears.  Par 
ties  of  the  savages  passed  by  where  she  lay,  and  one  so  near  that 
the  butt  of  his  gun  trailed  upon  the  log  as  he  passed.  At  last  a 
party  from  the  fort,  at  the  intercession  of  her  husband,  sallied  out 
to  her  rescue,  and  brought  them  into  the  fort  drenched  with  rain, 
and  stiffened  with  cold.  Mrs.  Clyde  had  been  unaccompanied  by 
her  eldest  daughter,  about  ten  years  of  age,  and  she  supposed  her 
to  be  safe  in  the  fort,  but  when  she  arrived  there,  she  learned  that 
the  little  girl  had  not  been  seen.  She  was  afterwards  discovered. 
When  fleeing  from  the  house,  she  had  escaped  to  the  woods  alone, 
and  had  remained  concealed  all  this  while,  thinly  clad,  and  thus 


A    STORY    OF    A    DOG. 

greatly  exposed  to  the  severity  of  the  weather,  and  racked  with 
momentary  apprehensions  of  death.* 


A  STORY  OF  A  DOG. 

IN  1778,  just  after  the  raising*  of  the  siege  of  Fort  Stauwix,  in 
the  Mohawk  Valley,  the  following  occurrence  took  place.  Cap 
tain  Gregg,  and  a  corporal  were  out  shooting  during  the  clay, 
when  as  evening  drew  near,  they  prepared  to  return  to  the  fort, 
as  parties  of  Indians  were  sometimes  prowling  about.  But  a  flock 
of  pigeons  alighting  near  them,  they  were  about  to  fire  upon 
them,  when  two  shots  were  heard,  and  Gregg  saw  his  companion 
fall  dead,  while  he  felt  a  wound  in  his  side,  which  so  weakened 
him  that  he  speedily  fell.  Two  Indians  immediately  appeared 
from  a  thicket  and  approached  them.  Gregg  at  once  saw  that 
his  only  hope  was  to  feign  death.  One  of  the  savages  struck  him 
in  the  head  with  his  hatchet,  and  then  with  his  knife  cut  a  circle 
around  his  crown,  and  with  his  teeth  drew  off  his  scalp.  The  In 
dians  now  withdrew,  and  soon  as  they  were  fairly  gone,  Gregg, 
although  suffering  terribly  from  his  wounds  in  his  side  and  head 
resolved  to  endeavor  to  reach  his  companion,  from  a  belief  that 
if  he  could  place  his  head  on  the  corporal's  body,  his. anguish  from 
the  wound  in  his  head  would  be  essayed.  He,  therefore,  made 
an  effort  to  rise,  but  he  had  no  sooner  got  to  his  feet,  than  he  fell 
heavily.  Not  despairing,  he  essayed  again,  but  with  the  same 
result.  The  third  time  he  so  far  succeeded,  as  to  be  enabled  to 

Campbell's  Annals  of  Tyron  County. 


A    STORY    OP    A    DOG.  293 

stagger  slowly  to  the  spot  where  the  corporal  lay.  He  found  his 
companion  lifeless  and  scalped.  He  placed  his  head  upon  his 
bloody  body,  and  as  he  had  hoped,  this  position  afforded  him  some 
relief. 

But  the  comfort  of  this  position  was  destroyed  by  the  annoy 
ances  of  a  small  dog,  which  had  accompanied  him  in  his  expedi 
tion,  who  now  came  up  to  him  in  great  agony,  leaping,  yelping, 
and  whining  around  his  master,  whom  he  annoyed  by  his  great 
distress.  Wearied  with  his  efforts  to  force  the  dog  from  him, 
he  exclaimed  involuntarily,  "if  you  wish  so  much  to  help  me,  go 
and  call  some  one  to  my  relief."  To  his  surprise,  the  dog  imme 
diately  bounded  off  through  the  forest  at  his  utmost  speed. 

The  dog  made  his  way  to  where  three  men  wrere  fishing,  about 
a  mile  from  the  scene  where  the  tragedy  was  enacted,  and  as  he 
came  up  to  them,  began  to  cry  and  whine,  and  endeavoring  to 
attract  their  attention  by  bounding  off  into  the  woods,  returning, 
and  urging  them  to  follow  him.  These  extraordinary  actions  of 
the  dog  convinced  the  men  that  there  was  some  unusual  cause, 
and  they  resolved  to  follow  him.  They  proceeded  for  some  dis 
tance,  and  finding  nothing,  while  darkness  was  already  settled 
around,  making  the  forest  exceedingly  dangerous,  they  deter 
mined  to  return.  But  no  sooner  did  they  attempt  to  retrace  their 
steps,  than  the  dog  began  to  cry  out  with  his  utmost  violence, 
caught  hold  of  their  coats  with  his  teeth,  and  endeavored  to  force 
them  to  follow.  As  they  continued  to  return,  the  violence  of  the 
dog  increased,  until  the  men  astonished  at  the  pertinacity  of  his 
manner,  concluded  to  go  with  him.  Presently,  they  came  to 
where  <^regg  was  lying,  whom  they  found  still  living.  They  bur 
ied  the  corporal,  and  carried  the  captain  into  the  fort.  Astonishing 


294  DICEY    LANGSTON. 

as  it  may  seem,  the  wounds  of  Gregg,  severe  as  they  were,  healed 
up,  and  he  recovered  his  perfect  health. 


DICEY   LANGSTON. 

"  DICEY  LANGSTON,  was  the  daughter  of  Solomon  Langston,  of 
Laurens  district,  South  Carolina.  She  possessed  an  intrepid  spirit, 
which  is  highly  serviceable  in  times  of  emergency,  and  which,  as 
she  lived  in  the  days  of  the  Revolution,  she  had  more  than  one 
opportunity  to  display.  Situated  in  the  midst  of  tories,  and  being 
patriotically  inquisitive,  she  often  learned  by  accident,  or  discov 
ered  by  strategy,  the  plottings  so  common  in  those  days,  against 
the  whigs.  Such  intelligence  she  was  accustomed  to  communi 
cate  to  the  friends  of  freedom  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Ennoree 
river. 

"Learning  one  time  that  a  band  of  loyalists — known  in  those 
parts  as  the  '  Bloody  scout' — were  about  to  fall  upon  the  '  Elder 
settlement,'  a  place  where  a  brother  of  hers  and  other  friends 
were  residing,  she  resolved  to  warn  them  of  their  danger.  To  do 
this,  she  must  hazard  her  own  life.  But  off  she  started,  alone,  in 
the  darkness  of  the  night ;  travelled  several  miles  through  the 
woods,  and  over  marshes  and  across  creeks,  through  a  country 
where  foot-logs  and  bridges  were  then  unknown ;  came  to  the 
Tyger,  a  rapid  and  deep  stream,  into  which  she  plunged  and 
waded  till  the  water  was  up  to  her  neck ;  she  then  became  be 
wildered,  and  zigzagged  the  channel  for  some  time  ;  reached  the 
opposite  shore  at  length — for  a  helping  Hand  was  beneath,  a 
kind  Providence  guiding  her : — hastened  on  ;  reached  the  settle 
ment,  and  her  brother  and  the  whole  community  were  safe  I 


DICEY    LANGSTON.  295 

"  She  was  returning  one  day  from  another  settlement  of  whigs 
— in  the  Spartanburg  district,  when  a  company  of  tories  met  her 
and  questioned  her  in  regard  to  the  neighborhood  she  had  just 
left;  but  she  refused  to  communicate  the  desired  information. 
The  leader  of  the  band  then  held  a  pistol  to  her  breast,  and  threat 
ened  to  shoot  her  if  she  did  not  make  the  wished  for  disclosure. 

"  '  Shoot  me  if  you  dare  !  I  will  not  tell  you !'  was  her  daunt 
less  reply,  as  she  opened  a  long  handkerchief  that  covered  her 
neck  and  bosom,  thus  manifesting  a  willingness  to  receive  the 
contents  of  the  pistol,  if  the  officer  insisted  on  disclosures  or  life. 
The  dastard,  enraged  at  her  defying  movement,  was  in  the  act 
of  firing,  at  which  moment  one  of  the  soldiers  threw  up  the  hand 
holding  the  weapon,  and  the  cowerless  heart  of  the  girl  was  per 
mitted  to  beat  on. 

"  The  brothers  of  Dicey  were  no  less  patriotic  than  she ;  and 
they  having,  by  their  active  services  on  the  side  of  freedom,  greatly 
displeased  the  loyalists,  these  latter  were  determined  to  be  re 
venged.  A  desperate  band  accordingly  went  to  the  house  of  their 
father,  and  finding  the  sons  absent,  they  were  about  to  wreak 
their  vengeance  on  the  old  man,  whom  they  hated  for  the  sons' 
sake.  With  this  intent  one  of  the  party  drew  a  pistol ;  but  just 
as  it  was  aimed  at  the  breast  of  her  aged  and  infirm  father,  Dicey 
rushed  between  the  two,  and  though  the  ruffian  bade  her  get 
out  of  his  way  or  receive  in  her  own  breast  the  contents  of  the 
pistol,  she  regarded  not  his  threats,  but  flung  her  arms  around 
her  father's  neck  and  declared  she  would  receive  the  ball  first,  if 
the  weapon  must  be  discharged.  Such  fearlessness  and  willing 
ness  to  offer  her  own  life  for  the  sake  of  her  parent,  softened  the 
heart  of  the  '  bloody  scout,'  and  Mr.  Langston  lived  to  see  his 
noble  daughter  perform  other  heroic  deeds. 


296  WONDERFUL  ESCAPE  FROM   INDIANS. 

"  One  time  her  brother  James,  in  his  absence,  sent  to  the  house 
for  a  gun  which  he  had  left  in  her  care,  with  orders  for  her  to  de 
liver  it  to  no  one  except  by  his  direction.  On  reaching  the  house 
one  of  the  company  who  were  directed  to  call  for  it,  made  known 
their  errand,  whereupon  she  brought  and  was  about  to  deliver  the 
weapon.  At  this  moment  it  occurred  to  her  that  she  had  not  de 
manded  the  countersign  agreed  on  between  herself  and  brother. 
With  the  gun  still  in  her  hand,  she  looked  the  company  sternly 
in  the  face,  and  remarking  that  they  wore  a  suspicious  look, 
called  for  the  countersign.  Hereupon  one  of  them,  in  jest,  told 
her  she  was  too  tardy  in  her  requirements  ;  that  both  the  gun 
and  its  holder  were  in  their  possession. 

"  '  Do  you  think  so,'  she  boldly  asked,  as  she  cocked  the  dis 
puted  weapon  and  aimed  it  at  the  speaker.  '  If  the  gun  is  in 
your  possession,'  she  added,  'take  charge  of  it !'  Her  appearance 
indicated  that  she  was  in  earnest,  and  the  countersign  was  given 
without  further  delay.  A  hearty  laugh  on  the  part  of  the  *  liberty 
men,'  ended  the  ceremony." 


WONDERFUL  ESCAPE  FROM  INDIANS. 

JAMES  MORGAN,  a  native  of  Maryland,  married  at  an  early  age, 
and  soon  after  settled  himself  near  Bryant's  station,  in  the  wilds 
of  Kentucky.  Like  most  pioneers  of  the  west,  he  had  cut  down 
the  cane,  built  a  cabin,  deadened  the  timber,  enclosed  a  field  with 
a  worm  fence,  and  planted  some  corn. 

It  was  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  August,  1782  ; — the  sun  had 
descended  ;  a  pleasant  breeze  was  playing  through  the  surround- 


WONDERFUL  ESCAPE  FROM   INDIANS.  297 

ing  wood ;  the  tall  cane  bowed  under  its  influence,  and  the  broad 
green  leaves  of  the  corn  waved  in  the  air ;  Morgan  had  seated 
himself  in  the  door  of  his  cabin,  with  his  infant  on  his  knee  ;  his 
young  and  happy  wife  had  laid  aside  her  spinning-wheel,  and  was 
busily  engaged  in  preparing  the  frugal  meal.  That  afternoon 
Morgan  had  accidentally  found  a  bundle  of  letters,  which  he  had 
linished  reading  to  his  wife  before  he  had  taken  his  seat  in  the 
door.  It  was  a  correspondence  in  which  they  had  acknowledged 
an  early  and  ardent  attachment  for  each  other,  and  the  perusal 
left  evident  traces  of  joy  on  the  countenance  of  both ;  the  little 
infant,  too,  seemed  to  partake  of  its  parents'  feelings  by  its  cherub 
smiles,  its  playful  humor,  and  infantile  caresses.  While  thus 
agreeably  employed,  the  report  of  a  rifle  was  heard,  another,  and 
another,  followed  in  quick  succession.  Morgan  sprang  to  his  feet, 
3iis  wife  ran  to  the  door,  and  they  simultaneously  exclaimed  "  IN 
DIANS  !" 

The  door  was  immediately  barred,  and  the  next  moment  all 
their  fears  were  realized,  by  a  bold  and  spirited  attack  of  a  small 
party  of  Indians.  The  cabin  could  not  be  successfully  defended, 
and  time  was  precious.  Morgan,  cool,  brave,  and  prompt,  soon 
decided.  While  he  was  in  the  act  of  concealing  his  wife  under 
the  floor,  a  mother's  feelings  overcame  her — she  arose — seized  her 
infant,  but  was  afraid  that  its  cries  would  betray  her  place  of  con 
cealment.  She  hesitated — gazed  silently  upon  it — a  momentary 
struggle  between  affection  and  duty  took  place.  She  once  more 
pressed  her  child  to  her  agitated  bosom  ;  again  and  again  kissed 
it  with  impassioned  tenderness.  The  infant,  alarmed  at  the  pro 
fusion  of  tears  that  fell  upon  its  cheek,  looked  up  in  its  mother's 
face,  threw  its  little  arms  around  her  neck,  and  wept  aloud.  "  In 
the  name  of  Heaven,  Eliza,  release  the  child,  or  we  shall  be  lost," 


298  WONDERFUL  ESCAPE  FROM  INDIANS. 

said  the  distracted  husband,  in  a  soft  imploring  tone  of  voice,  as 
he  forced  the  infant  from  his  wife ;  hastily  took  up  his  gun,  knife 
and  hatchet ;  ran  up  the  ladder  that  led  to  the  garret,  and  drew 
it  after  him.  In  a  moment  the  door  was  burst  open,  and  the  sa 
vages  entered. 

By  this  time,  Morgan  had  secured  his  child  in  a  bag,  and  lash 
ed  it  to  his  back ;  then  throwing  off  some  clapboards  from  the 
roof  of  his  cabin,  resolutely  leaped  to  the  ground.  He  was  in 
stantly  assailed  by  two  Indians.  As  the  first  approached,  he 
knocked  him  down  with  the  butt  end  of  his  gun.  The  other  ad 
vanced  with  uplifted  tomahawk  ;  Morgan  let  fall  his  gun  and 
"  closed  in."  The  savage  made  a  blow — missed  aim,  but  severed 
the  cord  that  bound  the  infant  on  his  back,  and  it  fell.  The  con 
test  over  the  child  now  became  warm  and  fierce,  and  was  carried 
on  with  knives  only.  The  robust  and  athletic  Morgan,  at  length 
got  the  ascendancy.  Both  were  badly  cut,  and  bled  freely,  but 
the  stabs  of  the  white  man  were  better  aimed,  and  deeper,  and 
the  savage  soon  sunk  to  the  earth  in  death.  Morgan  hastily  took 
up  his  child  and  gun,  and  hurried  off. 

The  Indians  in  the  house,  busily  engaged  in  drinking  and  plun 
dering,  were  not  apprized  of  the  contest  in  the  yard,  until  the  one 
that  had  been  knocked  down  gave  signs  of  returning  life,  and  call 
ed  them  to  the  scene  of  action.  Morgan  was  discovered,  imme 
diately  pursued,  and  a  dog  put  on  his  trail.  Operated  upon  by 
all  the  feelings  of  a  husband  and  a  father,  he  moved  on  with  the 
speed  of  a  hunted  stag,  and  soon  outstripped  the  Indians,  but  the 
dog  kept  in  close  pursuit.  Finding  it  impossible  to  outrun  or 
elude  the  cunning  animal,  trained  to  hunts  of  this  kind,  he  halted 
and  waited  until  it  came  within  a  few  yards  of  him,  fired  and 
brought  him  down — reloaded  his  gun.  and  again  pushed  forward 


WONDERFUL  ESCAPE  FROM  INDIANS.  299 

In  a  short  time  be  reached  the  house  of  his  brother,  who  resided 
between  Bryant's  station  and  Lexington,  where  he  left  the  child, 
and  the  two  brothers  immediately  set  out  for  his  dwelling.  As 
they  approached  the  clearing,  a  light  broke  upon  his  view — his 
speed  quickened,  his  fears  increased,  and  the  most  agonizing  ap 
prehensions  crowded  upon  his  mind.  He  emerged  from  the  cane- 
brake — beheld  his  house  in  flames,  and  almost  burnt  to  the 
ground.  "  My  Wife  !"  he  exclaimed,  as  he  pressed  one  hand  to 
his  forehead,  and  grasped  the  fence  with  the  other,  to  support  his 
tottering  frame.  He  gazed  for  some  time  on  the  ruin  and  deso 
lation  before  him,  advanced  a  few  steps,  and  sunk  exhausted  to 
the  earth. 

Morning  came — the  bright  luminary  of  Heaven  arose — and 
still  found  him  seated  near  the  almost  expiring  embers.  In  his 
right  hand  he  held  a  small  stick,  with  which  he  was  tracing  the 
name  of  "  ELIZA,"  on  the  ground — his  left  was  thrown  over  his 
favorite  dog,  that  lay  by  his  side,  looking  first  on  the  ruin,  and 
then  on  his  master,  with  evident  signs  of  grief.  Morgan  arose. 
The  two  brothers  now  made  a  search,  and  found  some  bones  al 
most  burned  to  ashes,  which  they  carefully  gathered,  and  silently 
consigned  to  their  mother  earth,  beneath  the  wide-spread  branches 
of  a  venerable  oak,  consecrated  by  the  purest  and  holiest  recollec 
tions. 

Several  days  after  this,  Morgan  was  engaged  in  a  desperate 
battle  at  the  lower  Blue  Licks.  The  Indians  came  off  victors,  and 
the  surviving  whites  retreated  across  the  Licking,  but  were  pur 
sued  by  the  enemy  for  a  distance  of  six-and-thirty  miles. 

James  Morgan  was  among  the  last  that  crossed  the  river,  and 
was  in  the  rear  until  the  hill  was  descended.  As  soon  as  he  be 
held  the  Indians  re-appear  on  the  ridge,  he  felt  anew  his  wrongs, 


300  WONDERFUL    ESCAPE    FROM    INDIANS. 

and  recollected  tlie  lovely  object  of  his  early  affections.  He 
urged  on  his  horse  and  pressed  to  the  front.  While  in  the  act  of 
leaping  from  his  saddle,  he  received  a  rifle  ball  in  his  thigh,  and 
fell ;  an  Indian  sprang  upon  him,  seized  him  by  the  hair,  and 
applied  the  scalping-knife.  At  this  moment  Morgan  cast  his  eyes 
upward  and  recognized  the  handkerchief  that  bound  the  head  of 
the  savage,  and  which  he  knew  to  be  his  wife's.  This  added  re 
newed  strength  to  his  body,  and  increased  activity  to  his  fury. 
He  quickly  threw  his  left  arm  around  the  Indian,  and  with  a 
death-like  grasp,  hugged  him  to  his  bosom,  plunged  his  knife  into 
his  side,  and  he  expired  in  his  arms.  Releasing  himself  from  the 
savage,  Morgan  crawled  under  a  small  oak,  on  an  elevated  piece 
of  ground,  a  short  distance  from  him.  The  scene  of  action  shift 
ed,  and  he  remained  undiscovered  and  unscalped,  an  anxious 
spectator  of  the  battle. 

It  was  now  midnight.  The  savage  band  after  taking  all  the 
scalps  they  could  find,  left  the  battle-ground.  Morgan  was  seated 
at  the  foot  of  the  oak,  its  trunk  supported  his  head.  The  rugged 
and  uneven  ground  that  surrounded  him  was  covered  with  the 
slain ;  the  once  white  and  projecting  rocks,  bleached  with  the 
rain  and  sun  of  centuries,  were  crimsoned  with  the  blood  that  had 
warmed  the  heart  and  animated  the  bosom  of  the  patriot  and  the 
soldier.  The  pale  glimmering  of  the  moon,  occasionally  threw  a 
faint  light  upon  the  mangled  bodies  of  the  dead,  then  a  passing 
cloud  enveloped  all  in  darkness,  and  gave  additional  horror  to  the 
feeble  cries  of  a  few  still  lingering  in  the  last  agonies  of  protracted 
death,  rendered  doubly  appalling  the  coarse  growl  of  the  bear,  the 
loud  howl  of  the  wolf,  the  shrill  and  varied  notes  of  the  wild  cat, 
and  the  panther,  feeding  on  the  dead  and  dying.  Morgan  beheld 


WONDERFUL  ESCAPE  FROM   INDIANS.  301 

the  scene  with  heart-rending  sensations,  and  looked  forward  with 
the  apathy  of  despair,  to  his  own  end. 

A  large  and  ferocious  looking  bear,  covered  with  blood,  now 
approached  him  ;  he  threw  himself  on  the  ground — silently  com 
mended  his  soul  to  Heaven  and  in  breathless  anxiety  awaited  his 
fate.  The  satiated  animal  slowly  passed  on  without  noticing  him. 
Morgan  raised  his  head — was  about  offering  thanks  for  his  unex 
pected  preservation,  when  the  cry  of  a  pack  of  wolves  opened 
upon  him,  and  again  awakened  him  to  a  sense  of  his  danger.  He 
placed  his  hands  over  his  eyes — fell  on  his  face,  and  in  silent 
agony  awaited  his  fate.  He  now  heard  a  rustling  in  the  bushes 
— steps  approached — a  cold  chill  ran  over  him. — Imagination — 
creative,  busy  imagination,  was  actively  employed ;  death — the 
most  horrible  death,  awaited  him — his  limbs  would,  in  all  proba 
bility,  be  torn  from  his  body,  and  he  be  devoured  alive.  He  felt 
a  touch — the  vital  spark  was  almost  extinguished — another  touch 
more  violent  than  the  first,  and  he  was  turned  over — the  cold 
sweat  ran  down  in  torrents — his  hands  were  violently  forced  from 
his  face — the  moon  passed  from  under  a  cloud — a  faint  ray  beam 
ed  upon  him — his  eyes  involuntarily  opened  and  he  beheld  his 
wife,  who,  in  scarce  audible  voice,  exclaimed,  "  My  husband  ! — 
my  husband  /"  and  fell  upon  his  bosom. 

Morgan  now  learned  from  his  wife,  that  after  the  Indians  had 
entered  the  house,  they  found  some  spirits  and  drank  freely  ;  an 
altercation  soon  took  place — one  of  them  received  a  mortal  stab 
and  fell ;  his  blood  ran  through  the  floor  on  her.  Believing  it 
to  be  the  blood  of  her  husband,  she  shrieked  aloud,  and  betrayed 
her  place  of  concealment.  She  was  immediately  taken  and  bound. 
The  party,  after  setting  fire  to  the  house,  proceeded  to  Bryant's* 
station.  On  the  dav  of  the  battle  of  the  Blue  Licks,  a  horse,  with 


302  A    PATRIOTIC    GIRL. 

saddle  and  bridle,  rushed  by  her,  which  she  knew  to  be  her  hus 
band's.  During  the  action,  the  prisoners  were  left  unguarded — 
made  their  escape,  and  lay  concealed  beneath  some  bushes  under 
the  bank  of  the  river.  After  the  Indians  had  returned  from  the 
pursuit,  and  left  the  battle-ground,  she,  with  some  other  persons 
that  had  escaped  with  her,  determined  to  make  a  search  for  their 
friends,  and  if  on  the  field,  and  living,  to  save  them  if  possible 
from  the  beasts  of  prey.  After  searching  for  some  time,  and 
almost  despairing  of  success,  she  fortunately  discovered  him. 

The  party  of  Colonel  Logan  found  Morgan  and  his  wife,  and 
restored  them  to  their  FRIENDS,  their  INFANT,  and  their  HOME. 


A  PATRIOTIC  GIRL. 

WE  find  the  following  incident  in  the  first  volume  of  American 
Anecdotes,  "  original  and  select."  The  young  heroine  of  the  ad 
venture,  afterwards  married  a  rich  planter,  named  Therwits,  who 
lived  on  the  Congaree. 

"At  the  time  General  Greene  retreated  before  Lord  Rawdon 
from  Ninety-Six,  when  he  had  passed  Broad  river,  he  was  very  de 
sirous  to  send  an  order  to  General  Sumter,  who  was  on  the  "VVa- 
teree,  to  join  him,  that  thej-  might  attack  Rawdon,  who  had 
divided  his  force.  But  the  General  could  find  no  man  in  that 
part  of  the  state  who  was  bold  enough  to  undertake  so  dangerous 
a  mission.  The  country  to  be  passed  through  for  many  miles 
was  full  of  blood-thirsty  tories,  who  on  every  occasion  that  offered, 
imbrued  their  hands  in  the  blood  of  the  whigs.  At  length  Emily 
Geiger  presented  herself  to  General  Greene,  and  proposed  to  act 


A    PATRIOTIC    GIRL.  303 

as  his  messenger :  and  the  General,  both  surprised  and  delighted, 
closed  with  her  proposal.  He  accordingly  wrote  a  letter  and  de 
livered  it,  and  at  the  same  time  communicated  the  contents  of  it 
verbally,  to  be  told  to  Sumter  in  case  of  accidents. 

"  Emily  was  young,  but  as  to  her  person  or  adventures  on  the 
way,  we  have  no  further  information,  except  that  she  was  mounted 
on  horseback,  upon  a  side-saddle,  and  on  the  second  day  of  her 
journey  she  was  intercepted  by  Lord  Rawdon's  scouts.  Coming 
from  the  direction  of  Greene's  army,  and  not  being  able  to  tell  an 
untruth  without  blushing,  Emily  was  suspected  and  confined  to 
a  room ;  and  as  the  officer  in  command  had  the  modesty  not  to 
search  her  at  the  time,  he  sent  for  an  old  tory  matron  as  more  fit 
ting  for  that  purpose.  Emily  was  not  wanting  in  expedient,  and 
as  soon  as  the  door  was  closed  and  the  bustle  a  little  subsided, 
she  ate  up  the  letter,  piece  by  piece.  After  a  while  the  matron 
arrived,  and  upon  searching  carefully,  nothing  was  to  be  found  of 
a  suspicious  nature  about  the  prisoner,  and  she  would  disclose 
nothing.  Suspicion  being  thus  allayed,  the  officer  commanding 
the  scouts,  suffered  Emily  to  depart  wither  she  said  she  was 
bound  ;  but  she  took  a  route  somewhat  circuitous  to  avoid  further 
detention,  and  soon  after  struck  into  the  road,  to  Sumter's  camp, 
where  she  arrived  in  safety.  Emily  told  her  adventure,  and  de 
livered  Greene's  verbal  message  to  Sumter,  who,  in  consequence, 
soon  after  joined  the  main  army  at  Orangeburg." 


304  TRIALS    OF    A    PATRIOT. 


TRIALS  OF  A   PATRIOT. 

THOMAS  McCALLA,  lived  in  Chester  district,  South  Carolina? 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  revolution.  He  was  frequently  in 
engagements,  and  in  1780,  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
was  thrown  into  the  jail  at  Camden,  and  threatened  daily  with 
hang-ing.  The  efforts  of  his  wife  to  obtain  his  release,  are  do- 
tailed  in  the  following  manner,  by  Mrs.  Ellett. 

While  this  brave  man  was  languishing  in  prison,  expecting 
death  from  day  to  day,  his  wife  remained  in  the  most  unhappy 
state  of  suspense.  For  about  a  month  she  was  unable  to  obtain 
any  tidings  of  him.  The  rumor  of  Sumter's  surprise,  and  that  of 
Steel,. came  to  her  ears;  she  visited  the  places  where  those  disas 
ters  had  occurred,  and  sought  for  some  trace  of  him,  but  without 
success.  She  inquired,  in  an  agony  of  anxiety,  of  the  women  who 
had  been  to  Charlotte,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  clothes  or  pro 
visions  to  their  husbands,  brothers,  or  fathers,  not  knowing  but 
that  he  had  gone  thither  with  the  soldiers  ;  but  none  could  give 
her  the  least  information.  Imagination  may  depict  the  harrowing 
scenes  that  must  have  passed,  when  females  returning  to  their 
homes  and  children  after  carrying  aid  to  the  soldiers,  were  met 
by  such  inquiries  from  those  who  were  uncertain  as  to  the  fate  of 
their  kindred.  To  these  hapless  sufferers  no  consolation  availed, 
and  too  often  was  their  suspense  terminated  by  more  afflicting 
certainty. 

In  the  midst  of  Mrs.  McCalla's  distress,  and  before  she  had 
gained  any  information,  she  was  called  to  another  claim  on  her 
anxiety  ;  her  children  took  the  small-pox.  John  was  very  ill  for 
nine  days  with  the  disease,  and  his  mother  thought  every  day 


TRIALS   OF    A    PATRIOT  305 

would  be  his  last.  During  tins  terrible  season  of  alarm,  while  her 
mind  was  distracted  by  cares,  she  had  to  depend  altogether  upon 
herself,  for  she  saw  but  one  among  her  neighbors.  All  the  fami 
lies  in  the  vicinity  were  visited  with  the  disease,  and  to  many  it 
proved  fatal.  As  soon  as  her  child  was  so  far  recovered  as  to  be 
considered  out  of  danger,  Mrs.  McCalla  made  preparations  to  go 
to  Camden.  She  felt  convinced  that  it  was  her  duty  to  do  so,  for 
she  clung  to  the  hope  that  she  might  there  learn  something  of 
her  husband,  or  even  find  him  among  the  prisoners. 

With  her  to  resolve  was  to  act,  and  having  set  her  house  in  or 
der,  she  was  in  the  saddle  long  before  day,  taking  the  old  Charles 
ton  road  leading  down  on  the  west  side  of  the  Catawba  river. 
The  mountain  gap  on  Wateree  creek  was  passed  ere  the  sun  rose, 
and  by  two  o'clock  she  had  crossed  the  river,  passing  the  guard 
there  stationed,  and  entered  Camden.  Pressing  on  with  fearless 
determination,  she  passed  the  guard,  and  desiring  to  be  conducted 
to  the  presence  of  Lord  Rawdon,  was  escorted  by  Major  Doyle  to 
the  head-quarters  of  that  commander.  His  Lordship  then  occu 
pied  a  large,  ancient  looking  house  on  the  east  side  of  the  main 
street.  The  old  site  of  the  town  is  now  in  part  deserted,  and  that 
building  left  standing  alone  some  four  hundred  yards  from  any 
other,  as  if  the  memories  associated  with  it  had  rendered  the 
neighborhood  undesirable.  It  was  here  that  haughty  and  luxu 
rious  nobleman  fixed  his  temporary  residence,  "  sitting  as  a  mon 
arch,"  while  so  many  true  unfortunates,  whose  fate  hung  on  his 
will,  were  languishing  out  their  lives  in  prison,  or  atoning  for 
their  patriotism  on  the  scaffold. 

Into  the  presence  of  this  august  personage,  Mrs.  McCalla  was 
conducted  by  the  British  major.  Her  impression  at  first  sight 
was  favorable;  he  was  a  fine  looking  young  man,  with  a  counte- 


306  TRIALS    OF    A    PATRIOT. 

nance  not  unpreposessing,  which  we  may  suppose  was  eagerly 
searched  for  the  traces  of  human  sympathy  by  one  who  felt  that 
all  her  hopes  depended  on  him.  His  aspect  gave  her  some  en 
couragement,  and  being  desired  to  explain  the  object  of  her  visit, 
she  pleaded  her  cause  with  the  eloquence  of  nature  and  feeling  ; 
making  known  the  distressed  situation  of  her  family  at  home,  the 
fearful  anxiety  of  mind  she  had  suffered  on  account  of  the  pro 
longed  absence  of  her  husband  and  the  ignorance  of  his  fate,  and 
her  children's  urgent  need  of  his  care  and  protection.  From  Ma 
jor  Doyle  she  had  at  length  learned  that  he  was  held  a  prisoner 
by  his  lordship's  orders.  She  had  come,  therefore,  to  entreat 
mercy  for  him ;  to  pray  that  he  might  be  released  and  permitted 
to  go  home  with  her.  This  appeal  to  compassion  she  made  with 
all  the  address  in  her  power,  nor  was  the  untaught  language  of 
distress  wanting  in  power  to  excite  pity  in  any  feeling  heart. 

Lord  Rawdon  heard  her  to  the  end.  His  reply  was  character 
istic.  "  I  would  rather  hang  such rebels  than  eat  my  break 
fast."  This  insulting  speech  was  addressed  to  his  suppliant  while 
her  eyes  were  fixed  on  him  in  the  agony  of  her  entreaty,  and  the 
tears  were  streaming  down  her  cheeks.  His  words  dried  up  the 
fountain  at  once,  and  the  spirit  of  the  American  matron  was 
roused. 

"Would  you?"  was  her  answer,  while  she  turned  on  him  a 
look  of  the  deepest  scorn.  A  moment  after,  with  a  struggle  to 
control  her  feelings,  for  she  well  knew  how  much  depended  on 
that — she  said,  "I  crave  of  your  lordship  permission  to  see  my 
husband." 

The  haughty  chiet  felt  the  look  of  scorn  his  cruel  language  had 
called  up  in  her  face,  for  his  own  conscience  bore  testimony  against 
him,  but  pride  forbade  his  yielding  to  the  dictates  of  better  feel- 


TRIALS  OF    A  PATRIOT.  307 

ing.     "  You  should  consider  madam,"  he  answered,  "  in  whose 
presence  you  now  stand.     Your  husband  is  a  rebel " 

Mrs.  McCalla  was  about  to  reply — but  her  companion,  the  Ma 
jor,  gave  her  a  look  warning  her  to  be  silent,  and  in  truth  the 
words  that  sprang  to  her  lips  would  have  ill  pleased  the  Briton. 
Doyle  now  interposed,  and  requested  his  lordship  to  step  aside 
with  him  for  a  moment.  They  left  the  apartment,  and  shortly  af 
terwards  returned.  Rawdon  then  said  to  his  visitor,  with  a  stately 
coldness  that  precluded  all  hope  of  softening  his  determination  : 
;t  Major  Doyle,  madam,  has  my  permission  to  let  you  go  into  the 
prison.  You  may  continue  in  the  prison  ten  minutes  cmly,  Ma 
jor,  you  have  my  orders."  So  saying,  he  bowed  politely  both  to 
her  and  the  officer,  as  intimating  that  the  business  was  ended,  and 
they  were  dismissed.  They  accordingly  quitted  the  room. 

The  sight  of  the  prison-pen  almost  overcame  the  fortitude  of 
the  resolute  wife.  An  enclosure  like  that  constructed  for  animals, 
guarded  by  soldiers,  was  the  habitation  of  the  unfortunate  pris 
oners,  who  sate  within  on  the  bare  earth,  many  of  them  suffering 
with  the  prevalent  distemper,  and  stretched  helpless  on  the  ground, 
with  no  shelter  from  the  burning  sun  of  September.  "  Is  it  pos 
sible,"  cried  the  matron,  turning  to  Doyle,  "  that  you  shut  up  men 
in  this  manner,  as  you  would  a  parcel  of  hogs  I"  She  was  then 
admitted  into  the  jail,  and  welcome  indeed  was  the  sight  of  her 
familiar  face  to  McCalla.  The  time  allotted  for  the  interview  \\a~- 
too  short  to  be  wasted  in  condolement  or  complaint ;  she,  told 
him  she  must  depart  in  a  few  minutes,  informed  him  of  the  state 
of  his  family — inquired  carefully  what  were  his  wants,  and  prom 
ised  speedy  relief.  When  the  ten  minutes  had  expired,  she  again 
shook  hands  with  him,  assuring  him  she  would  shortly  return 
with  clothes  for  his  use,  and  what  provisions  she  could  bring, 


308  TRIALS    OF    A    PATRIOT. 

then  turning  walked  away  with  a  firm  step,  stopping  to  shake 
hands  with  young  John  Adair  and  the  other  captives  with  whom 
she  was  acquainted.  The  word  of  encouragement  was  not  want 
ing,  and  as  che  bade  the  prisoners  adieu,  she  said  :  "  Have  no 
fearj  the  women  are  doing  their  part  of  the  service."  "I  admire 
your  spirit,  madam,"  Doyle  observed  to  her,  "  but  must  request 
you  to  be  a  little  more  cautious." 

Mrs.  McCalla  was  furnished  by  the  Major  with  a  pass,  which 
she  showed  to  the  officer  on  duty  as  she  passed  the  guard  on  her 
return,  and  to  the  officer  at  the  ferry.  She  rode  with  all  speed 
and  was  at  home  before  midnight ;  having  had  less  than  twenty- 
four  hours  for  the  accomplishment  of  her  whole  enterprise  ;  in 
that  time  riding  one  hundred  miles,  crossing  the  river  twice,  and 
passing  the  guard  four  times — visiting  her  husband,  and  having 
the  interview  with  Lord  Rawdon,  in  which  probably  for  the  first 
time  in  his  life  he  felt  uneasiness  from  a  woman's  rebuke.  It 
convinced  him  that  even  in  the  breast  of  woman  a  spirit  of  inde 
pendence  might  dwell,  which  no  oppression  could  subdue,  and 
before  which  brute  force  must  quail,  as  something  of  superior 
nature.  How  must  the  unexpected  outbreaking  of  this  spirit, 
from  time  to  time,  have  dismayed  those  who  imagined  it  was 
crushed  forever  throughout  the  conquered  province  ! 

It  is  proper  to  say  that  Mrs.  McCalla  met  with  kinder  treat 
ment  from  the  other  British  officers  to  whom  she  had  occasion  to 
apply  at  this  time,  for  they  were  favorably  impressed  by  the 
courage  and  strength  of  affection  evinced  by  her.  Even  the  sol 
diers,  as  she  passed  them,  paid  her  marks  of  respect.  The  tories 
alone  showed  no  sympathy  nor  pity  for  her  trials  ;  it  being  con 
stantly  observed  that  there  was  deeper  hostility  towards  the  whigs 


TRIALS    OF    A    PATRIOT.  309 

on  the  part  of  their  countrymen  of  different  politics,  than  those 
of  English  birth. 

Mrs.  McCalla  began  her  work  immediately  after  her  arrival  at- 
home  ;  making  new  clothes,  altering  and  mending  others,  and 
preparing  provisions.  Her  preparations  being  completed,  she 
again  set  out  for  Caraden.  This  time  she  had  the  company  of 
one  of  her  neighbors,  Mrs.  Mary  Nixon.  Each  of  the  women 
drove  before  her  a  pack-horse,  laden  with  the  articles  provided 
for  the  use  of  their  suffering  friends.  They  were  again  admitted 
to  the  presence  of  Lord  Rawdon  to  petition  for  leave  to  visit  the 
prisoners,  but  nothing  particular  occurred  at  the  interview.  His 
lordship  treated  the  matron  who  had  offended  him  with  much 
haughtiness,  and  she  on  her  part  felt  for  him  a  contempt  not  the 
less  strong  that  it  was  not  openly  expressed.  From  this  time  she 
made  her  journeys  about  once  a  month  to  Camden,  carrying 
clean  clothes  and  provisions  ;  being  often  accompanied  by  other 
women  bound  on  similar  errands,  and  conveying  articles  of  food 
and  clothing  to  their  captive  fathers,  husbands,  or  brothers.  They 
rode  without  escort,  fearless  of  peril  by  the  way,  and  regardless  of 
fatigue,  though  the  journey  was  usually  performed  in  haste,  and 
under  the  pressure  of  anxiety  for  those  at  home  as  well  as  those 
to  whose  relief  they  were  going.  On  one  occasion,  when  Mrs. 
McCalla  was  just  about  setting  off  alone  upon  her  journey,  news 
of  a  glorious  event  was  brought  to  her ;  the  news  of  the  battle  of 
King's  Mountain,  which  took  place  on  the  seventh  of  October. 
She  did  not  stop  to  rejoice  in  the  victory  of  her  countrymen,  but 
went  on  with  a  lightened  heart,  longing,  no  doubt,  to  share  the 
joy  with  him  who  might  hope,  from  the  changed  aspect  of  affairs, 
some  mitigation  of  his  imprisonment. 

.     About  the  first  of  December,  Mrs.  McCalla  went 


310  TRIALS    OF    A    PATRIOT. 

again  to  Camden.  On  the  preceding  trip  she  had  met  with  Lord 
Cornwallis,  by  whom  she  was  treated  with  kindness.  Whatever 
hopes  she  had  grounded  on  this,  however,  were  doomed  to  disap 
pointment  ;  he  was  this  time  reserved  and  silent.  She  was  after 
wards  informed  by  the  Major  that  a  considerable  reverse  had  be 
fallen  his  majesty's  troops  at  Clermont,  and  the  annoyance  felt 
on  this  account — Doyle  said — was  the  cause  of  his  not  showing 
as  much  courtesy  as  he  usually  did  to  ladies.  "  You  must  excuse 
him,"  observed  the  good-natured  officer,  who  seems  to  have  al 
ways  acted  the  part  of  a  peace-maker  on  these  occasions ;  and  he 
added  that  Cornwallis  had  never  approved  of  the  cruelties  here 
tofore  practised. 

Towards  the  last  of  December  the  indefatigable  wife  again 
performed  the  weary  journey  to  Camden.  McCalla's  health  had 
been  impaired  for  some  months,  and  was  now  declining  ;  it  was 
therefore  necessary  to  make  a  strenuous  effort  to  move  the  com 
passion  of  his  enemies,  and  procure  his  release.  Eawdon  was  in 
command,  and  she  once  more  applied  to  him  to  obtain  permission 
for  her  husband  to  go  home  with  her.  As  might  have  been  an 
ticipated,  her  petition  was  refused  :  his  lordship  informed  her  that 
he  could  do  nothing  in  the  premises ;  but  that  if  she  would  go  to 
Winnsboro'  and  present  her  request  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  he  might 
possibly  be  induced  to  give  her  an  order  for  the  liberation  of  the 
prisoner. 

To  Winnsboro',  accordingly,  she  made  her  way,  determined  to 
lose  no  time  in  presenting  her  application.  It  was  on  New  Year's 
morning  that  she  entered  the  village.  The  troops  were  under 
parade,  and  his  lordship  was  engaged  in  reviewing  them  ;  there 
could  be  no  admission,  therefore,  to  his  presence  for  some  time, 
and  she  had  nothing  to  do  but  remain  a  silent  spectator  of  the 


TRIALS    OF    A    PATRIOT.  311 

imposing  scene.  A  woman  less  energetic,  and  less  desirous  of 
improving  every  opportunity  for  the  good  of  others,  might  have 
sought  rest  after  the  fatigues  of  her  journey,  during  the  hours  her 
business  had  to  wait ;  Sarah  McCalla  was  one  of  heroic  stamp, 
whose  private  troubles  never  caused  her  to  forget  what  she  might 
do  for  her  country.  She  passed  the  time  in  noticing  particularly 
everything  she  saw,  not  knowing  but  that  her  report  might  do 
>ervice.  After  the  lapse  of  several  hours,  the  interview  she  craved 
\vith  Cornwallis  was  granted.  He  received  her  with  courtesy  and 
kindness,  listened  attentively  to  all  she  had  to  say,  and  appeared 
to  feel  pity  for  her  distresses.  But  his  polished  expression  of 
sympathy,  to  which  her  hopes  clung  with  desperation,  was  accom 
panied  with  regret  that  he  could  not,  consistently  with  the  duties 
of  his  Majesty's  service,  comply  unconditionally  with  her  request. 
He  expressed,  nevertheless,  entire  willingness  to  enter  into  an  ex 
change  with  General  Sumter,  releasing  McCalla  for  any  prisoner 
he  had  in  his  possession.  Or  he  would  accept  the  pledge  of  Gene 
ral  Sumter  that  McCalla  should  not  again  serve  until  exchanged, 
and  would  liberate  him  on  that  security.  "  But,  madam,"  he 
added,  "  it  is  Sumter  himself  who  must  stand  pledged  for  the 
keeping  of  the  parole.  We  have  been  too  lenient  heretofore,  and 
have  let  men  go  who  immediately  made  use  of  their  liberty  to 
take  up  arms  against  us." 

With  this  the  long-tried  wife  was  forced  to  be  content,  and  she 
now  saw  the  way  clear  to  the  accomplishment  of  her  enterprise. 
She  lost  no  time  in  returning  home,  and  immediately  set  out  for 
Charlotte  to  seek  aid  from  the  American  general.  She  found 
Sumter  at  this  place,  nearly  recovered  of  the  wounds  he  had  re 
ceived  in  the  action  at  Blackstock's,  in  November.  Her  appeal 
to  him  was  at  once  favorably  received.  He  gave  her  a  few  lines. 


312  TRIALS    OF    A    PATRIOT. 

stating  that  lie  would  stand  pledged  for  McCalla's  continuance  at 
home  peaceably  until  he  should  be  regularly  exchanged.  This 
paper  was  more  precious  than  gold  to  the  matron  whose  per 
severance  had  obtained  it ;  but  it  was  destined  to  do  her  little 
good.  She  now  made  the  best  of  her  way  homeward.  After 
crossing  the  Catawba,  she  encountered  the  army  of  General  Mor 
gan,  was  stopped,  being  suspected  to  be  a  tory,  and  taken  into  his 
presence  for  examination.  The  idea  that  she  could  be  thus  sus 
pected  afforded  her  no  little  amusement,  and  she  permitted  the 
mistake  to  continue  for  some  time,  before  she  produced  the  paper 
in  Sumter's  hand-writing  which  she  well  knew  would  remove 
eVery  difficulty.  She  then  informed  the  general  of  her  visit  to 
Winnsboro'  on  the  first  of  January,  and  her  sight  of  the  review 
of  the  troops.  Morgan  thanked  her  for  the  information  and  dis 
missed  her,  and  without  further  adventure  she  arrived  at  her 
own  house. 

A  few  days  after  her  return,  the  British  army,  being  on  its 
march  from  Winnsboro',  encamped  on  the  plantation  of  John 
Service,  in  Chester  district,  and  afterwards  at  Turkey  creek.  Mrs. 
McCalla  went  to  one  of  those  camps  in  the  hope  of  seeing  Lord 
Cornwallis.  She  succeeded  in  obtaining  this  privilege  ;  his  lord 
ship  recognised  her  as  soon  as  she  entered  the  camp,  and  greeted 
her  courteously,  questioning  her  as  to  her  movements,  and  mak 
ing  many  inquiries  about  Sumter  and  Morgan.  On  this  last 
point  she  was  on  her  guard,  communicating  no  more  information 
than  she  felt  certain  could  give  the  enemy  no  manner  of  advan 
tage,  nor  subject  her  friends  to  inconvenience.  At  length  she 
presented  to  the  noble  Briton  the  paper  which  she  imagined 
would  secure  her  husband's  freedom.  What  was  her  disappoint 
ment  when  he  referred  her  to  Lord  Rawdon,  as  the  proper  person 


TRIALS    OF  A    PATRIOT.  313 

to  take  cognizance  of  the  affair  !  The  very  name  was  a  death 
blow  to  her  hopes,  for  she  well  knew  she  could  expect  nothing 
from  his  clemency.  Remonstrance  and  entreaty  were  alike  in 
vain  ;  Cornwallis  was  a  courteous  man,  but  he  knew  how,  with  a 
bland  smile  and  well-turned  phrase  of  compliment,  to  refuse  com 
pliance  even  with  a  request  that  appealed  so  strongly  to  everv 
t'eeling  of  humanity,  as  that  of  an  anxious  wife  pleading  for  the 
suffering  and  imprisoned  father  of  her  children.  She  must  sub 
mit,  however,  to  the  will  of  those  in  power ;  there  was  no  re 
source  but  another  journey  to  Camden,  in  worse  than  doubt  of 
the  success  she  had  fancied  just  within  her  reach. 

It  was  a  day  or  two  after  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens,  that  she 
crossed  the  ferry  on  her  way  to  Camden.  She  had  not  yet  heard 
of  that  bloody  action,  but,  observing  that  the  guard  was  doubled 
at  the  ferry,  concluded  that  something  unusual  had  occurred.  As 
she  entered  the  village,  she  met  her  old  friend  Major  Doyle,  who 
stopped  to  speak  to  her.  -His  first  inquiry  was  if  she  had  heard 
the  news ;  and  when  she  answered  in  the  negative,  he  told  her 
of  the  "  melancholy  affair"  that  had  occurred  at  Cowpens.  The 
time,  he  observed,  was  most  inauspicious  for  the  business  on 
which  he  knew  she  had  come.  "  I  fear,  madam,"  he  said,  "  that 
his  lordship  will  not  treat  you  well." 

"  I  have  no  hope,"  was  her  answer,  "  that  he  will  let  Thomas 
go  home ;  but,  sir,  it  is  my  duty  to  make  efforts  to  save  rny  hus 
band.  I  will  thank  you  to  go  with  me  to  Lord  RawdorT^ 
quarters." 

Her  reception  was  such  as  she  had  expected.  As  soon  as 
Rawdon  saw  her,  he  cried  angrily,  "  You  here  again,  madam  ? 
Well — you  want  your  husband — I  dare  say !  Do  you  not  know 
what  the rebels  have  been  doing  ?" 


314  .  TRIALS  OF  A    PATRIOT. 

"  I  do  not,  sir,"  replied  the  dejected  matron,  for  she  saw  that 
his  mood  was  one  of  fury. 

"  If  we  had  hung  them,"  he  continued,  "  we  should  have  been 
saved  this.  Madam  !  I  order  you  most  positively  never  to  come 
into  my  presence  again  !" 

It  was  useless,  Mrs.  McCalla  knew,  to  attempt  to  stem  the  tide  ; 
she  did  not  therefore  produce,  nor  even  mention  the  paper  giveft 
her  by  Sumtcr,  nor  apologise  for  the  intrusion  by  saying  that 
Lord  Cornwallis  had  directed  her  to  apply  to  him ;  but  merely 
answered  in  a  subdued  and  respectful  tone  by  asking  what  she 
had  done. 

"  Enough  !"  exclaimed  the  irritated  noble.  "  You  go  from 
one  army  to  another,  and  Heaven  only  knows  what  mischief  you 
do !  Begone." 

She  waited  for  no  second  dismissal,  but  could  not  refrain  from 
saying,  as  she  went  out,  in  an  audible  voice,  "My  countrymen 
must  right  me."  Lord  Rawdon  called  her  back  and  demanded 
what  she  was  saying.  She  had  learned  by  this  time  some  lessons 
in  policy,  and  answered,  with  a  smile,  "  We  are  but  simple  coun 
try  folk."  His  lordship  probably  saw  through  the  deceit,  for 
turning  to  his  officer,  he  said,  "Upon  my  life,  Doyle,  she  is  a 
wretch  of  a  woman  !"  And  thus  she  left  him. 

That  great  event — the  battle  of  the  Cowpens — revived  the 
spirits  of  the  patriots  throughout  the  country.  Everywhere,  as 
the  news  spread,  men  who  had  before  been  discouraged  flew  to 
arms.  The  action  took  place  on  the  seventeenth  of  January, 
1781 ;  on  the  twenty-second  of  the  same  month,  six  wagons  were 
loaded  with  corn  at  Wade's  island,  sixty  miles  down  the  Catawba 
for  the  use  of  General  Davison's  division.  The  whole  whig  coun 
try  of  Chester,  York  and  Lancaster  may  be  said  to  have  risen  in 


TRIALS  OF  A  PATRIOT.  315 

mass,  and  was  rallying  to  arms.  Mecklenburg,  North  Carolina, 
was  again  the  scene  of  warlike  preparations  ;  for  the  whigs  hoped 
to  give  the  enemy  another  defeat  at  Cowans  or  Batisford  on  the 
Catawba.  On  the  twenty-fourth  of  January,  General  Sumter 
crossed  this  river  at  Landsford,  and  received  a  supply  of  corn  from 
Wade's  island.  His  object  was  to  cross  the  districts  to  the  west, 
iii  the  rear  of  the  advancing  British  army,  to  arouse  the  country 
and  gather  forces  as  he  went,  threaten  the  English  posts  at  Ninety- 
Six  and  Granby,  and  go  on  to  recover  the  State.  While  Corn 
wall's  marched  from  his  encampment  on  Service's  plantation,  the 
whigs  of  Chester,  under  the  gallant  Captain  John  Mills  and  James 
Johnston,  were  hovering  near,  watching  the  movements  of  the  hos 
tile  army  as  keenly  as  the  eagle  watches  his  intended  prey. 
Choosing  a  fit  opportunity,  as  they  followed  in  the  rear,  they 
pounced  upon  a  couple  of  British  officers,  one  of  whom  was  Ma 
jor  McCarter,  at  a  moment  when  they  had  not  the  least  suspicion 
of  danger,  took  them  prisoners  in  sight  of  the  enemy,  and  made 
good  their  retreat.  By  means  of  this  bold  exploit  the  liberation 
of  McCalla  was  brought  about,  at  a  time  when  his  wife  was 
wholly  disheartened  by  her  repeated  and  grievous  disappointments. 
When  General  Sumter  passed  through  the  country,  a  cartel 
of  exchange  was  effected,  giving  the  two  British  officers  in 
exchange  for  the  prisoners  of  Chester  district  in  Camden  and 
Charleston. 

The  person  sent  with  the  flag  to  accomplish  this  exchange  in 
Camden,  was  Samuel  Neely  of  Fishing  creek.  As  he  passed 
through  the  town  to  the  quarters  of  Lord  Rawdon,  he  was  seen 
and  recognized  by  the  prisoners,  and  it  may  be  supposed  their 
hearts  beat  with  joy  at  the  prospect  of  speedy  release.  But  in 
consequence  of  some  mismanagement  of  the  business,  the  unfor- 

14 


316  TRIALS  OF  A  PATRIOT. 

tunate  men  were  detained  in  jail  several  weeks  longer.  lSTeely 
was  in  haste  to  proceed  to  Charleston,  being  anxious,  in  the  ac 
complishment  of  his  mission  in  that  city,  to  get  his  son  Thomas 
out  of  the  prison-ship,  and  in  his  hurry  probably  neglected  some 
necessary  formalities.  His  countrymen  in  Camden  were  kept  in 
confinement  after  his  return  from  Charleston  with  his  son.  Cap- 
lain  Mills  was  informed  of  this,  and  indignant  at  the  supposed 
disrespect  shown  by  Lord  Rawdon  to  the  cartel  of  General  Sum- 
ter,  wrote  a  letter  of  remonstrance  to  Rawdon,  which  he  en 
trusted  to  Mrs.  McCalla  to  be  conveyed  to  him. 

Our  heroine  was  accompanied  on  this  journey  by  Mrs.  Mary 
Dixon,  for  she  judged  it  impolitic  that  the  letter  should  be  deliv 
ered  by  one  so  obnoxious  to  his  lordship  as  herself.  Still  she 
deemed  it  her  duty  to  be  on  the  spot  to  welcome  her  liberated 
husband,  supply  all  his  wants,  and  conduct  him  home.  The  dis 
tance  was  traversed  this  time  with  lighter  heart  than  before,  for 
now  she  had  no  reason  to  fear  disappointment.  When  they  ar 
rived  at  Camden,  they  went  to  the  jail.  John  Adair  was  standing 
at  a  window ;  they  saw  and  greeted  each  other,  the  women  stand 
ing  in  the  yard  below.  Perhaps  in  consequence  of  his  advice,  or 
prudential  considerations  on  their  part,  they  determined  not  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  good  offices  of  Major  Doyle  on  this  occa 
sion.  Adair  directed  them  to  send  the  jailor  up  to  him,  and 
wrote  a  note  introducing  his  sister  to  the  acquaintance  of  Lord 
Rawdon.  The  two  women  then  proceeded  to  the  quarters  of 
that  nobleman.  When  they  arrived  at  the  gate,  Mrs.  McCalla 
stopped,  saying  she  would  wait  there,  and  her  companion  pro 
ceeded  by  herself.  She  was  admitted  into  the  presence  of  Lord 
Rawdon,  who  read  the  note  of  introduction  she  handed  to  him, 
and  observed,  referring  to  the  writer— that  the  small-pox  had  al- 


TRIALS  OP  A  PATRIOT.  317 

most  finished  him ;  still  he  had  come  very  near  escaping  from  the 
jail ;  that  he  was  "  a  grand  'scape-gallows."  On  reading  the  let 
ter  of  Captain  Mills,  his  color  changed,  and  when  he  had  finished 
it,  turning  to  Mrs.  Nixon,  he  said  in  an  altered  tone  :  "I  am  sorry 
these  men  have  not  been  dismissed,  as  of  right  they  ought,"  He 
immediately  wrote  a  discharge  for  eleven  of  the  prisoners,  and 
put  it  into  her  hands,  saying :  "  You  can  get  them  out,  madam. 
I  am  very  sorry  they  have  been  confined  so  many  weeks  longer 
than  they  should  have  been."  At  the  same  time  he  gave  Mrs. 
Nixon  a  guinea.  "  This,"  he  said,  "  will  bear  your  expenses." 

His  lordship  accompanied  her  on  her  way  out,  and  as  she 
passed  through  the  gate  his  eye  fell  on  Mrs.  McCalla,  whom  he 
instantly  recognized.  Walking  to  the  spot  where  she  stood  near 
the  gate,  he  said  fiercely :  "  Did  I  not  order  you,  madam,  to  keep 
out  of  my  presence  ?"  The  matron's  independent  spirit  flashed 
from  her  eyes,  as  she  answered  :  "I  had  no  wish,  sir,  to  intrude 
myself  on  your  presence ;  I  stopped  at  the  gate  on  purpose 
to  avoid  you."  Unable  to  resist  the  temptation  of  speaking 
her  mind  for  once,  now  that  she  had  a  last  opportunity,  she 
added :  "  I  might  turn  the  tables  on  you,  sir,  and  ask,  why  did 
you  come  out  to  the  gate  to  insult  a  woman  ?  I  have  received 
from  you  nothing  but  abuse.  My  distresses  you  have  made  sport 
of,  and  I  ceased  long  since  to  expect  anything  from  you  but  ill- 
treatment.  I  am  now  not  your  supplicant ;  I  came  to  dema.nd, 
as  a  right,  the  release  of  my  husband !"  So  saying,  she  bowed 
to  him  contemptuously,  wheeled  about,  and  deliberately  walked 
off,  without  stopping  to  see  how  her  bold  language  was  received. 
Mrs.  Xixon  hastened  after  her  pale  as  death,  and  at  first  too  much 
frightened  to  speak.  As  soon  as  she  found  voice,  she  exclaimed  ; 


318  TRIALS  OF  A  PATRIOT. 

"  Sally  !  you  have  ruined  us,  I  am  afraid  !     Why,  he  may  put  us 
both  in  jail !" 

Mrs.  McCalla  laughed  outright.  "  It  is  not  the  first  time,  Mary,1' 
she  replied,  "that  I  have  given  him  to  understand  I  thought  him 
a  villain  !"  The  two  made  their  way  back  to  the  prison,  but  even 
after  they  got  there  Mrs.  Nixon  had  not  recovered  from  her  ter 
ror.  She  was  informed  that  it  would  be  some  time  before  the 
prisoners  could  be  released.  The  blacksmith  was  then  sent  for, 
and  came  with  his  tools.  The  sound  of  the  hammering  in  the 
apartments  of  the  jail,  gave  the  first  intimation  to  the  women 
who  waited  to  greet  their  friends,  that  the  helpless  captives  were 
chained  to  the  floor.  This  precaution  had  been  adopted  not 
long  before,  in  consequence  of  some  of  the  prisoners  having  at 
tempted  an  escape.  They  were  then  put  in  handcuffs  or  chained 
by  the  ankle.  These  men  left  the  place  of  their  long  imprison 
ment  and  suffering  in  company  with  the  two  women,  and  as  they 
marched  through  the  streets  of  Camden,  passing  the  British 
guard,  they  sang  at  the  top  of  their  voices,  the  songs  of  the 
"  liberty-men." 


MRS.  SHUBRICK. 

THE  following  anecdotes  of  Mrs.  Richard  Shubrick  may  be 
found  in  the  First  Series  of  Major  Garden's  Revolutionary  Anec 
dotes.  "  There  was,"  he  writes,  "  an  appearance  of  personal  de 
bility  about  her  that  rendered  her  peculiarly  interesting  :  it  seem 
ed  to  solicit  the  interest  of  every  heart,  and  the  man  would  have 


MRS.    SHUBRICK.  319 

felt  himself  degraded  who  would  not  have  put  his  life  at  hazard 
to  serve  her.  Yet,  when  firmness  of  character  was  requisite,  when 
fortitude  was  called  for  to  repel  the  encroachments  of  aggression, 
'.here  was  not  a  more  intrepid  being  in  existence. 

"  An  American  soldier,  flying  from  a  party  of  the  enemy, 
sought  her  protection,  and  was  promised  it.  The  British,  pressing 
close  upon  him,  insisted  that  he  should  be  delivered  up,  threaten 
ing  immediate  and  universal  destruction  in  case  of  refusal.  The 
ladies,  her  friends  and  companions,  who  were  in  the  house  with 
her,  shrunk  from  the  contest,  and  were  silent ;  but,  undaunted  by 
their  threats,  this  intrepid  lady  placed  herself  before  the  chamber 
into  which  the  unfortunate  fugitive  had  been  conducted,  and  re 
solutely  said,  '  To  men  of  honor  the  chamber  of  a  lady  should 
be  as  sacred  as  the  sanctuary !  I  will  defend  the  passage  to  it 
though  I  perish.  You  may  succeed,  and  enter  it,  but  it  shall  be 
over  my  corpse.'  '  By  God,'  said  the  officer,  '  if  muskets  were 
only  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  few  such  women,  our  only  safety 
would  be  found  in  retreat.  Your  intrepidity,  madam,  gives  you 
security ;  from  me  you  shall  meet  no  further  annoyance.' 

"  At  Brabant,  the  seat  of  the  respectable  and  patriotic  Bishop 
Smith,  a  sergeant  of  Tarleton's  dragoons,  eager  for  the  acquisition 
of  plunder,  followed  the  overseer,  a  man  advanced  in  years,  into 
the  apartment  where  the  ladies  of  the  family  were  assembled,  and 
on  his  refusing  to  discover  the  spot  in  which  the  plate  was  con 
cealed,  struck  him  with  violence,  inflicting  a  severe  sabre  wound 
across  the  shoulders.  Aroused  by  the  infamy  of  the  act,  Mrs. 
Shubrick,  starting  from  her  seat,  and  placing  herself  betwixt  the 
ruffian  and  his  victim,  resolutely  said,  '  Place  yourself  behind  me, 
Murdoch  ;  the  interposition  of  my  body  shall  give  you  protection, 
or  Iwiirdie:'  then,  addressing  herself  to  the  sergeant,  exclaimed, 


320  THE    PRIVATEER. 

'  O  what  a  degradation  of  manhood — what  departure  from  that 
gallantry  which  was  once  the  characteristic  of  British  soldiers. 
Human  nature  is  degraded  by  your  barbarity ; — but  should  you 
persist,  then  strike  at  me,  for  till  I  die,  no  further  injury  shall  be 
done  to  him."1  The  sergeant,  unable  to  resist  such  commanding- 
eloquence,  retired."* 


THE  PRIVATEER. 

GUSTAVUS  CONYNGHAM,  who  commanded  one  of  the  American 
Privateers,  was  an  object  of  great  terror  to  the  British.  His  ves 
sel  was  called  the  "  Revenge,"  and  the  fear  which  that  dreaded 
name  inspired,  was  augmented  by  the  exaggerated  statements 
that  were  industriously  circulated  in  reference  to  its  commander. 
He  was  represented  as  a  man  of  gigantic  frame  and  ferocious 
countenance,  and  prints  of  him  after  this  fashion  were  exhibited 
in  London  shop  windows,  and  labelled,  "  The  Arch  Rebel.''  He 
was  repeatedly  captured  by  the  enemy,  treated  with  the  most 
barbarous  severity,  and  only  saved  from  execution  by  the  reso 
lutions  of  Congress,  which  declared  that  his  death  should  h« 
avenged  by  that  of  certain  royalist  officers  then  in  custody. 


*  "  The  hope,  however,  of  attaining  the  object  in  view,  very  speedily 
subjected  the  unfortunate  Murdoch  to  new  persecution.  He  was  tied  u-p 
under  the  very  tree  where  the  plate  was  buried,  and  threatened  with  imme 
diate  execution  unless  he  would  make  the  discovery  required.  But  although 
well  acquainted  with  the  unrelenting  severity  of  his  enemy,  and  earnestly 
solicited  by  his  wife,  to  save  his  life  by  a  speedy  confession  of  the  place  of 
deposit,  he  persisted  resolutely,  that  a  sacred  trust  was  not  to  be  betrayed, 
and  actually  succeeded  in  preserving  it." 


THE    PRIVATEER.  321 

During  the  early  part  of  the  war,  when  the  terror  of  his  name 
was  shared  by  every  Englishman  on  the  sea,  a  vessel  was  cruising 
near  the  West  India  Islands,  on  board  of  which  were  three  ladies, 
who  suffered  many  apprehensions  of  meeting  with  the  terrible 
privateer,  whom  story  and  tradition  represented  as  a  monster  in 
human  form.  Suddenly  one  day,  when  the  ladies  were  upon  the 
deck,  a  cry  came  from  aloft — ';  A  sail !  a  sail !"  In  an  instant  all 
was  confusion.  The  captain  hastened  up  the  shrouds'  to  examine 
the  appearance  of  the  stranger.  A  few  moments  sufficed  to  make 
its  character  known.  It  was  no  other  than  the  terrible  privateer. 
The  captain  returned  to  the  deck,  and  communicated  the  un 
pleasant  news,  which  at  once  threw  the  ladies  into  an  agony  of 
fear.  They  retired  to  the  cabin,  in  tears,  and  half  fainting. 

The  strange  sail  gradually  drew  near.  There  was  no  chance 
of  escape  ;  and  a  gun  from  the  vessel  at  once  denoted  its  object. 
The  pursued  vessel  lay-to,  and  a  boat  put  off  from  the  stranger, 
containing  two  officers  and  several  men.  They  soon  stood  upon 
the  Englishman's  deck.  The  commanding  officer  was  a  young 
man  of  about  twenty-five,  of  a  light,  elegant  figure,  and  a  face 
pleasing  in  the  extreme,  marked  by  a  slight  shade  of  melancholy. 
He  made  some  inquiries  concerning  the  vessel,  and  on  being  in 
formed  that  there  were  ladies  in  the  cabin,  colored,  and  said  to 
his  lieutenant — that  he  would  have  to  go  and  say  to  them,  thu 
passengers  were  not  prisoners,  but  guests.  The  lieutenant  ex 
cused  himself  by  saying  that  he  had  not  "  confidence  enough  tc 
speak  to  them,"  when  the  first  speaker  went  into  the  cabin. 

The  terrified  ladies,  momentarily  expecting  the  appearance  of  a 
gigantic  monster,  were  surprised  by  the  entrance  into  the  cabin 
of  a  slightly  formed  and  elegant  figure,  who  greeted  them  with 
marked  respect.  The  fears  of  the  ladies  were  at  once  dispelled. 


322  THE    PRIVATEER. 

The  youngest  with  much  naivete,  asked  if  he  was  really  a  pi 
rate. 

"  I  am  captain  of  an  American  privateer,"  he  answered,  "  and 
he,  I  trust,  cannot  be  a  pirate." 

"  Are  you  the  captain  of  the  '  Revenge  ?'  " 

"  I  am." 

"  Is  it  possible  you  are  the  man  represented  to  be  a  bloody  and 
ferocious  pirate,  whose  chief  delight  is  in  scenes  of  carnage  1"  in 
quired  the  ladies. 

"I  am  that  person  of  whom  these  nursery  tales  have  been  told  ; 
whose  picture  is  hung  up  to  frighten  children.  I  have  suffered 
much  from  British  prisons  and  from  British  calumny ;  but  my 
sufferings  will  never  make  me  forget  the  courtesy  due  to  la 
dies." 

The  ladies  could  not  realize  that  these  were  the  sentiments  of 
a  man  common  report  had  branded  as  ferocious  and  blood 
thirsty. 

The  vessels  lay  together  for  several  days.  During  this  time 
Conyngham  showed  the  most  marked  respect  to  the  passengers, 
and  succeeded  in  winning  their  esteem.  The  lieutenant's  relation 
of  his  many  gallant  achievments  awakened  even  a  deeper  interest 
with  the  ladies.  It  soon  became  evident  that  Conyngham  was 
smitten  with  the  charms  of  the  younger  of  the  party,  who  evinced 
great  pleasure  in  the  society  of  the  captain.  The  gallant  Ameri 
can  had  achieved  a  conquest  not  anticipated  by  his  fair  captive. 
After  a  few  days,  the  ladies  were  placed  on  board  a  vessel  bound 
to  one  of  the  islands.  They  parted  with  the  captain  with  regret. 
But  with  one  the  separation  was  not  of  long  duration.  They 
met  again,  and  not  many  months  elapsed  ere  the  American  led 
a  lovely  and  beautiful  bride  to  the  altar.  The  romantic  manner 


THE    MAIDEN    WARRIOR.  323 

of  their  meeting,  and  the  marvellous  stories  told  of  the  fiendish 
American  pirate,  served,  no  doubt,  in  after  times  to  make  them 
merry. 


THE  MAIDEN  WARRIOR. 

WE  have  recorded  in  an  earlier  part  of  this  volume,  the  ex 
ploits  of  Sergeant  Jasper,  of  Marion's  brigade,  but  we  did  not  give 
an  account  of  an  incident,  connected  with  him,  of  a  most  romantic 
and  touching  nature. 

Sometime  just  before,  or  about  the  beginning  of  the  war,  he 
had  the  good  fortune  to  save  the  life  of  a  young,  beautiful,  and 
dark-eyed  Creole  girl,  called  Sally  St.  Glair.  Her  susceptible  na 
ture  was  overcome  with  gratitude  to  her  preserver,  and  this  soon 
ripened  into  a  passion  of  love,  of  the  most  deep  and  fervent  kind. 
She  lavished  upon  him  the  whole  wealth  of  her  affections,  and  the 
whole  depths  of  a  passion  nurtured  by  a  southern  sun.  When  he 
was  called  upon  to  join  the  ranks  of  his  country's  defenders,  the 
prospect  of  their  separation  almost  maddened  her.  Their  parting 
came,  but  scarcely  was  she  left  alone,  than  her  romantic  nature 
prompted  the  means  of  a  re-union.  Once  resolved,  no  considera 
tion  of  danger  could  dampen  her  spirit,  and  no  thought  of  conse 
quences  could  move  her  purpose.  She  severed  her  long  and  jetty 
ringlets,  and  provided  herself  with  male  attire.  In  these  she 
robed  herself,  and  set  forth  to  follow  the  fortunes  of  her  lover. 

A  smooth  faced,  beautiful,  and  delicate  stripling  appeared  among 
the  hardy,  rough,  and  giant  frames,  who  composed  the  corps  to 
which  Jasper  belonged.  The  contrast  between  the  stripling  and 


324  TliE    MAIDEN    WARRIOR. 

these  men,  in  their  uncouth  garbs,  their  massive  faces,  embrowned 
and  discolored  by  sun  and  rain,  was  indeed  striking.  But  none 
were  more  eager  for  the  battle,  or  so  indifferent  to  fatigue,  as  the 
fair  faced  boy.  It  was  found  that  his  energy  of  character,  reso 
lution  and  courage,  amply  supplied  his  lack  of  physique.  None 
ever  suspected  him  to  be  a  woman.  Not  even  Jasper  himself,  al 
though  she  was  often  by  his  side,  penetrated  her  disguise. 

The  romance  of  her  situation  increased  the  fervor  of  her  pas 
sion.  It  was  her  delight  to  reflect  that,  unknown  to  him,  she  was 
by  his  side,  watching  over  him  in  the  hour  of  danger.  She  fed 
her  passion  by  gazing  upon  him  in  the  hour  of  slumber,  hovering 
near  him,  when  stealing  through  the  swamp  and  thicket,  and  be 
ing  always  ready  to  avert  danger  from  his  head. 

But  gradually  there  stole  a  melancholy  presentment  over  the 
poor  girl's  mind.  She  had  been  tortured  with  hopes  deferred ; 
the  war  was  prolonged,  and  the  prospect  of  being  restored  to  him 
grew  more  and  more  uncertain.  But  now  she  felt  that  her  dream 
of  happiness  could  never  be  realized.  She  became  convinced  that 
death  was  about  to  snatch  her  away  from  his  side,  but  she  prayed 
that  she  might  die,  and  he  never  knew  to  what  length  the  vio 
lence  of  her  passion  led  her. 

It  was  an  eve  before  a  battle.  The  camp  had  sunk  into  repose. 
The  watchfires  were  burning  low,  and  only  the  slow  tread  of  sen 
tinels  fell  upon  the  profound  silence  of  the  night  air,  as  they 
moved  through  the  dark  shadows  of  the  forest.  Stretched  upon 
the  ground,  with  no  other  couch  than  a  blanket,  reposed  the  war 
like  form  of  Jasper.  Climbing  vines  trailed  themselves  into  a 
canopy  above  his  head,  through  which  the  stars  shone  down  soft 
ly.  The  faint  flicker  from  the  expiring  embers  of  a  fire  fell  ath 
wart  his  countenance,  and  tinned  the  cheek  of  one  who  bent  above 


THE    MAIDEN     WARRIOR. 


325 


his  couch.  It  was  the  smooth  faced  stripling.  She  bent  low- 
down  as  if  to  listen  to  his  dreams,  or  to  breathe  into  his  soul  plea 
sant  visions  of  love  and  happiness.  But  tears  trace  themselves 
down  the  fair  one's  cheek,  and  fall  silently,  but  rapidly  upon  the 
brow  of  her  lover.  A  mysterious  voice  has  told  her  that  the  hour 
of  parting  has  come  ;  that  to-morrow  her  destiny  is  consummated. 
There  is  one  last,  long,  lingering  look,  and  then  the  unhappy  maid 
is  seen  to  tear  herself  away  from  the  spot,  to  weep  out  her  sorrows 
in  privacy. 

Fierce  and  terrible  is  the  conflict  that  on  the  morrow  rages  on 
that  spot.  Foremost  in  the  battle  is  the  intrepid  Jasper,  and 
ever  by  his  side  fights  the.  stripling  warrior.  Often  during  the 
heat  and  the  smoke,  gleams  suddenly  upon  the  eyes  of  Jasper 
the  melancholy  face  of  the  maiden.  In  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  sur 
rounded  by  enemies,  the  lovers  fight  side  by  side.  Suddenly  a 
lance  is  levelled  at  the  breast  of  Jasper ;  but  swifter  than  the 
lance  is  »Sally  St.  Glair.  There  is  a  wild  cry,  and  at  the  feet  of 
Jasper  sinks  the  maiden,  with  the  life  blood  gushing  from  the 
white  bosom,  which  had  been  thrown,  as  a  shield,  before  his  breast. 
He  heeds  not  now  the  din,,  nor  the  danger  of  the  conflict ;  but 
down  by  the  side  of  the  dying  boy  he  kneels.  Then  for  the  first 
time  does  he  learn  that  the  stripling  is  his  love ;  that  often  by  the 
camp  fire,  and  in  the  swamp,  she  had  been  by  his  side ;  that  the 
dim  visions,  in  his  slumber,  of  an  angel  face  hovering  above  him, 
had  indeed  been  true.  In  the  midst  of  the  battle,  with  her  lover 
by  her  side,  and  the  barb  still  in  her  bosom,  the  heroic  maiden 
..lies ! 

Her  name,  her  sex,  and  her  noble  devotion,  soon  became  known 
through  the  corps.  There  was  a  tearful  group  gathered  around 
her  grave ;  there  was  not  one  of  those  hardy  warrior?,  who  did 


326  MAJOR  ISRAEL  FEARING. 

not  bedew  her  grave  with  tears.  They  buried  her  near  the  river 
Santee,  "  in  a  green  shady  nook  that  looked  as  if  it  had  been 
stolen  out  of  Paradise." 


MAJOR  ISRAEL  FEARING. 

ON  the  7th  of  September,  1778,  the  British  troops  made  an  at 
tempt  to  destroy  the  village  of  Fairhaven,  in  Massachusetts,  but 
were  thwarted  in  their  plans,  by  the  bravery  of  Major  Israel  Fear 
ing.  Fairhaven  is  situated  opposite  Xew  Bedford,  on  the  Acusha- 
net  river,  and  is  connected  with  the  latter  city  by  a  long  bridge. 
The  following  account  of  the  enemy's  attack,  and  their  repulse,  is 
from  "  Dwight's  Travels  :" 

"  They  proceeded  up  the  river  with  the  intention  of  burning 
Fairhaven,  but  a  critical  attention  to  their  movements,  had  con 
vinced  the  inhabitants  of  their  design,  and  induced  them  to  pre 
pare  for  their  reception.  The  militia  of  the  neighboring  coimtry 
were  summoned  to  the  defence.  Their  commander  was  a  man 
far  advanced  in  years.  Under  the  influence  of  that  languor  which 
at  this  period  enfeebles  both  the  body  and  the  mind,  he  deter 
mined  that  the  place  must  be  given  up  to  the  enemy,  and  that  no 
opposition  to  their  ravages,  could  be  made  with  any  hope  of  suc 
cess.  This  decision  of  their  officer  necessarily  spread  its  benumb 
ing  influence  over  the  militia,  and  threatened  an  absolute  preven 
tion  of  all  enterprise,  and  the  destruction  of  this  handsome  village. 

"  Among  the  officers,  belonging  to  the  brigade,  was  Israel  Fear 
ing,  a  major  of  one  of  the  regiments.  This  gallant  young  man, 
observing  the  torpor  which  was  spreading  among  the  troops,  invi- 


MAJOR  ISRAEL  FEARING.  327 

ted  as  many  as  had  sufficient  spirit  to  follow  him,  and  station 
themselves  at  the  post  of  danger.  Among  those  who  accepted 
the  invitation,  was  one  of  the  colonels,  who  of  course  became  the 
commandant ;  but  after  they  had  arrived  at  Fairhaven,  and  the 
night  had  come  on,  he  proposed  to  march  his  troops  back  into  the 
country.  He  was  warmly  opposed  by  Major  Fearing,  and  find 
ing  that  he  could  not  prevail,  prudently  retired  to  a  house  three 
miles  distant,  where  he  passed  the  night  in  safety. 

"  After  the  colonel  had  withdrawn,  Major  Fearing  now  com- 
mander-in-chief,  arranged  his  men  with  activity  and  skill ;  and 
soon  perceived  the  British  approaching.  The  militia,  in  the 
strictest  sense,  raw,  already  alarmed  by  the  reluctance  of  their 
superior  officers  to  meet  the  enemy,  and  naturally  judging  that 
men  of  years  must  understand  the  real  state  of  the  danger  better 
than  Major  Fearing,  a  mere  youth,  were  panic-struck  at  the  ap 
proach  of  the  enemy,  and  instantly  withdrew  from  their  post. 
At  this  critical  moment,  the  major,  with  the  decision  which  awes 
men  into  a  strong  sense  of  duty,  rallied  them  ;  and  placing  him 
self  in  the  rear,  declared,  in  a  tone  which  removed  all  doubt,  that 
he  would  kill  the  first  man  whom  he  found  retreating.  The  reso 
lution  of  their  chief  recalled  theirs.  With  the  utmost  expedition 
he  led  them  to  the  scene  of  danger.  The  British  had  already 
set  fire  to  several  stores.  Between  these  buildings  and  the  rest  of 
the  village,  he  stationed  his  troops,  and  ordered  them  to  lie  close 
in  profound  silence,  until  the  enemy,  who  were  advancing,  should 
have  come  so  near,  that  no  marksman  could  easily  mistake  his  ob 
ject.  The  orders  were  punctually  obeyed.  When  the  enemy 
had  arrived  within  this  distance,  the  Americans  rose,  and  with  a 
well  directed  fire  gave  them  a  warm  and  unexpected  reception. 
The  British  fled  instantly  to  their  boats,  and  fell  down  the  river 


328  CAPTIVITY  OF  ETHAN  ALLEN. 

with  the  utmost  expedition.  From  the  quantity  of  blood  found 
the  next  day  in  their  line  of  march,  it  was  supposed  that  their 
loss  was  considerable.  Thus  did  this  heroic  youth,  in  opposition 
to  his  superior  officers,  preserve  Fairhaven,  and  merit  a  statue 
from  its  inhabitants. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  ETHAN  ALLEN. 

SHORTLY  after  Ethan  Allen's  celebrated  conquest  of  Ticoride- 
roga,  he  joined  the  expedition  into  Canada,  under  Generals 
Schuyler  and  Montgomery.  He  had  no  commission  from  con 
gress,  but  was  induced  by  the  commanding  officers  to  follow  the 
army,  under  a  promise  that  he  should,  when  occasion  required, 
command  certain  detachments  in  the  army.  He  was  despatched 
into  Canada  with  letters  to  the  Canadians,  explaining  the  object 
of  the  expedition,  which  was  not  aimed  against  the  inhabitants  of 
the  country,  their  liberties  or  religion,  but  against  the  British  pos 
sessors.  The  Canadians  were  invited  to  make  common  cause 
with  the  continentals,  and  expel  the  invader.  His  message  was 
partly  successful,  and  numbers  of  Canadians  joined  the  congressi 
onal  banner. 

On  a  second  expedition  of  a  similiar  nature,  he  was  in 
duced  to  undertake  an  enterprise  against  Montreal.  Matters 
promised  him  success,  but  at  a  critical  moment  many  of  his  Cana 
dian  allies  abandoned  him.  The  result  was  a  total  defeat,  which 
ended  in  the  surrender  of  himself  and  party. 

When  he  was  brought  before  General  Prescott,  the  command 
ing  English  officer,  he  was  asked  his  name  and  title.  The  reply 


CAPTIVITY  OP  ETHAN  ALLEN  329 

cast  the  Briton  into  a  towering  passion.  He  could  not  lorget  the 
loss  of  Ticonderoga,  and  time  had  not  softened  the  bitterness  of 
hatred  he  felt  against  the  hero  of  that  glorious  adventure.  The 
Englishman  so  far  forgot  his  position,  as  to  threaten  the  person 
of  Allen  with  his  cane,  and  applied  to  him  every  offensive  ephithet 
lie  could  command.  Finding  that  Allen  confronted  him  with  an 
undaunted  gaze,  he  looked  around  for  something  else  on  Avhich  to 
wreak  his  hatred.  He  ordered  the  Canadians  who  had  been 
taken  with  Allen,  to  be  brought  forward,  and  executed.  As  they 
were  brought  forward,  wringing  their  hands  in  consternation  at 
the  prospect  of  death,  the  heart  of  Allen  was  touched,  as  he  could 
but  feel  their  present  position  was  brought  about  by  his  instru 
mentality.  He,  therefore  flung  himself  between  the  executioners 
and  the  intended  victims,  opened  his  coat,  and  told  General  Pres- 
cott  to  let  his  vengeance  fall  on  him  alone,  as  IIP  was  the  sole 
cause  of  the  Canadians  taking  up  arms. 

The  guard  paused,  and  looked  towards  their  General,  and  in 
deed  it  was  a  moment  of  suspense  and  interest  to  all  present. ' 
The  General  stood  quiet  a  moment  or  two  in  hesitation,  and  then 
said — "  I  will  not  execute  you  now ;  but  you  shall  grace  a  hal 
ter  at  Tyburn,"  accompanying  his  speech  with  a  series  of  em 
phatic  oaths. 

Allen  was  now  removed  on  board  the  Gaspee  schooner  of 
war,  loaded  with  irons  of  immense  weight,  and  cast  into  the  hold 
of  the  vessel.  Here  his  sufferings  were  of  the  most  acute  nature. 
His  only  accommodations  were  a  chest,  on  which  lie  sat  during 
the  day,  and  which  served  him  as  a  couch  at  night.  The  irons 
upon  his  ankles  were  so  tight,  that  he  conld  scarcely  lie  down, 
and  then  only  in  one  position.  Here  he  was  visited  by  many 


330  CAPTIVITY  OF  ETHAN  ALLEN. 

officers  of  the  English  army,  some  of  whom  treated  him  civilly, 
but  others  were  abusive  and  insulting. 

At  the  expiration  of  six  weeks,  he  was  removed  to  a  vessel  oft' 
Quebec,  where  he  received  kind  and  courteous  treatment.  Here 
he  remained  until  his  removal  on  board  of  the  vessel  which  was 
to  carry  him  to  England.  Here  all  of  the  prisoners,  thirty-four, 
were  thrust  into  a  small  apartment,  each  heavily  ironed.  Thej 
were  compelled  during  the  whole  voyage  to  remain  in  their  con 
finement,  and  were  subjected  to  every  indignity  that  cruelty 
could  invent. 

When  first  ordered  to  enter  into  their  filthy  apartment,  Allen 
refused,  and  endeavored  to  argue  their  brutal  keeper  out  of  his 
inhuman  purpose,  but  all  in  vain.  The  reply  to  his  appeal  was 
insults  of  the  grossest  kind,  and  an  officer  of  the  vessel  insulting 
him  by  spitting  in  his  face,  hand-cuffed  as  he  was,  the  intrepid 
American  sprang  upon  the  dastard,  and  knocked  him  at  length 
upon  the  floor.  The  fellow  hastily  scrambled  out  of  the  reach  of 
Allen,  and  placed  himself  under  the  protection  of  the  guard.  Al 
len  challenged  him  to  fight,  offering  to  meet  him  even  with  irons 
upon  his  wrists,  but  the  Briton,  trembling  with  fear,  contented 
himself  with  the  protection  afforded  him  by  British  bayonets,  and 
did  not  venture  to  oppose  the  intrepid  American.  The  prisoners 
were  now  forced  into  their  den  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 

The  sufferings  of  the  captives  during  the  voyage  were  intense. 
Their  privations  soon  brought  on  diarrhoea  and  fevers.  But  not 
withstanding  their  sickness,  they  received  no  attention  from  their 
gaolers,  and  even  those  who  were  crazed  with  raging  thirst,  were 
denied  the  simple  boon  of  fresh  water. 

On  arriving  at  Falmouth,  the  prisoners  were  all  marched 
through  the  town,  to  Pendennis  Castle,  about  a  mile  distant.  The 


CAPTIVITY  OP    ETHAN    ALLEN.  331 

fame  of  Allen  had  preceeded  him,  and  multitudes  of  people  were 
gathered  along  the  route  to  gaze  upon  him,  and  the  other  pris 
oners.  The  throng  was  so  great,  that  the  guard  were  compelled 
to  force  a  passage  through  the  crowd.  Allen  appeared  conspi 
cuous  among  his  fellow  prisoners,  by  his  eccentric  dress.  When 
captured,  he  was  taken  in  a  Canadian  dress,  consisting  of  a  red 
shirt,  a  red  worsted  cap,  a  short  fawn-skin  jacket,  and  breeches 
of  sagathy  ;  and  in  this  dress  he  was  escorted  through  the  won 
dering  crowd  at  Falmouth.  Ticonderoga  was  a  place  of  notoriety 
in  England,  and  the  hero  who  had  so  signally  conquered  it,  was 
an  object  of  interest  and  wonder  to  the  people. 

Allen  was  now  visited  by  a  great  number  of  people,  some  of 
whom  were  attracted  from  great  distances,  in  order  to  see  and 
converse  with  the  American  celebrity.  Discussion  ran  high  as  to 
his  eventual  disposal.  Some  declared  that  he  would  be  hung, 
and  argued  the  justice  of  the  act.  But  others  defended  and 
supported  the  Americans.  Even  in  parliament  the  merits  of  the 
question  were  discussed. 

From  their  prison  in  Pendennis  Castle  they  were  removed  to 
the  Solebay  frigate,  to  be  removed  to  America,  stopping  at  Cork 
for  provisions  and  water.  The  commanding  officer  was  harsh 
and  cruel,  and  on  the  first  day,  ordered  the  prisoners  from  the 
deck,  declaring  that  it  was  a  place  for  gentlemen  only  to  walk. 
A  few  days  after  Allen  shaved  and  dressed,  and  proceeded  to  the 
deck.  The  captain  addressed  him  in  great  rage,  and  said,  "  Did  I 
not  order  you  not  to  come  on  deck  ?"  Allen  replied  that  he  had 
said  that  it  was  the  place  for  gentlemen  to  walk,  and  that  he 
was  Col.  Allen,  a  gentleman  and  soldier,  who  had  not  been  pro 
perly  introduced  to  him.  His  reply  was  characteristic  of  his  bru- 


332  CAPTIVITY  OF    ETHAN    ALLEN. 

tal  disposition.  "  G — d  d n  you,  don't  walk  on  tlie  same 

side  of  the  deck  that  I  do." 

The  sufferings  of  the  prisoners  continued,  but  when  at  Cork, 
their  situation  received  the  attention  of  several  benevolent  gen 
tlemen,  who  exerted  themselves  to  allieve  them.  Ample  stores 
and  clothing  were  sent  on  board,  but  the  captain  refused  privilege 
to  the  prisoners  to  enjoy  them. 

The  vessel  proceeded  to  America,  first  casting  anchor  in  the 
harbor  of  Cape  Fear,  North  Carolina.  From  this  place  Allen  was 
removed  to  Halifax.  Here  his  treatment  continued  of  the  same 
kind,  that,  from  the  first  had  characterized  his  captivity.  He  re 
ceived  here  some  kind  attentions  from  Captain  Smith,  which  lie 
afterwards  had  occasion  to  return  in  a  signal  manner.  After  a 
confinement  of  two  months  he  was  removed  to  a  nian-of-war,  to 
be  conveyed  to  New  York,  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  an  ex 
change.  When  arrived  on  board  of  the  vessel  he  was  delighted 
to  find  that  he  was  under  the  command  of  Captain  Smith,  who 
had  before  served  him. 

When  Col.  Allen  met  Captain  Smith  on  board  the  vessel,  he 
greeted  him  with  thanks  for  his  kindness.  The  noble  captain 
disclaimed  all  merit,  and  said :  "  This  is  a  mutable  world,  and 
one  gentleman  never  knows  but  that  it  may  be  in  his  power  to 
help  another."  This  sentiment  was  strikingly  verified  in  the 
course  of  the  voyage. 

One  night,  as  they  were  sailing  along  the  coast  of  Rhode  Is 
land,  Captain  Burk  and  a  few  other  prisoners,  came  to  Allen  with 
a  plan  for  destroying  the  British  officers,  seizing  the  vessel,  and 
carrying  her  into  some  friendly  port.  A  large  quantity  of  cash 
on  board  was  held  up  as  an  inducement  for  the  enterprise.  But 
Captain  Smith  had  generously  distinguished  the  prisoners,  and 


CAPTIVITY    OF    ETHAN    ALLEN.  333 

for  this  reason  Allen  strongly  condemned  the  plan.  He  declared 
that  if  the  attempt  was  made,  he  would  assist  in  the  defence  of 
the  Briton  with  all  his  skill  and  strength.  Finding  the  conspiracy 
so  strenuously  opposed  by  the  most  influential  of  the  prisoners,  it 
was  abandoned,  upon  the  assurance  that  they  should  not  be  be 
trayed. 

Upon  arriving  in  New  York  Col.  Allen  was  released  on  parole, 
but  restricted  to  the  limits  of  New  York.  An  attempt  was  made 
soon  after  to  induce  him  to  join  the  British  ranks.  He  was  offer 
ed  a  heavy  sum  of  money,  and  large  tracts  of  land,  either  in 
New  Hampshire  or  Connecticut,  when  the  country  was  conquered. 
The  integrity  of  the  man,  however,  was  unassailable.  His  reply 
to  the  proposition  was  characteristic.  He  said  that  the  offer  re 
minded  him  of  a  certain  incident  in  Scripture.  The  devil,  he  said, 
took  Christ  to  a  high  hill,  and  showing  him  the  kingdoms  of 
earth,  offered  him  their  possession,  if  he  would  fall  down  and 
worship  him,  "  when  all  the  while  the  damned  soul  had  not  one 
foot  of  land  upon  earth  !"  It  may  be  believed  that  those  sent 
to  negotiate  with  him  did  not  fail  to  understand  the  illustration. 

Col.  Allen,  in  a  narrative  of  his  captivity,  written  by  himself, 
gives  a  fearful  account  of  the  condition  of  the  American  prisoners 
in  New  York.  Before  his  exchange  he  was  arrested  on  the  ab 
surd  charge  of  breaking  his  parole,  and  thrown  into  the  provost 
jail.  Here  he  remained  from  August  to  May,  during  which  timo 
he  witnessed  instances  of  suffering  of  the  most  agonizing  kind, 
and  was  himself  compelled  again  to  feel  the  barbarous  treatment 
of  British  officials.  At  the  expiration  of  the  above  period  he  was 
exchanged,  and  once  more  tasted  of  the  sweets  of  freedom. 


334  A.    FAIR    EXCHANGE, 


A  FAIR  EXCHANGE. 

"!N  1779,  Major  General  Sillirnan  was  appointed  Superinten 
dant  of  the  Coast  of  Fairfield,  Connecticut.  In  the  month  of 
May,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  directed  a  small  company  to  cross  the 
sound  from  Lloyd's  Neck,  and,  if  possible,  make  him  prisoner. 
One  of  them  was  an  inhabitant  of  Newtown,  and  he  was  well  ac 
quainted  wun  the  general's  residence,  and  the  best  modes  of  access 
to  it.  The  party  consisted  of  eight,  who  reached  the  house  about 
midnight.  The  family  were  awakened  by  a  violent  assault  upon 
the  door.  The  general  sprang  from  bed,  seized  a  musket,  and 
approached  the  door.  As  he  passed  the  window,  he  saw  the  men, 
and  at  once  comprehended  their  design.  He  attempted  to  fire, 
but  his  musket  only  flashed.  At  that  instant  the  assailants  broke 
through  the  window,  and  seized  him,  exclaiming,  that  he  was  their 
prisoner,  and  that  he  must  go  with  them.  They  permitted  him 
to  dress,  but  plundered  him  of  pistols,  gun  and  sword,  and  then 
hurried  him  away  to  the  shore.  As  they  approached  the  shore 
of  Lloyd's  Neck,  Col.  Simcoe,  the  commanding  officer,  who  was 
waiting  for  them,  exclaimed,  '  Have  you  got  him  ?'  They  an 
swered,  Yes.  'Have  you  lost  any  men  1'  No.  'That  is  well, 
replied  Simcoe, '  your  Sillimans  are  not  worth  a  man,  nor  your 
Washingtons.'  Gen.  Silliman's  eldest  son  was  taken  with  him. 
They  were  ordered  to  the  guard  house. 

"  At  that  time  there  was  no  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the  Ame 
ricans  whom  the  British  would  accept  for  the  general,  and  conse 
quently  it  was  determined  to  procure  one.  The  person  selected 
was  the  Hon.  Thomas  Jones,  of  Fort  Neck,  Long  Island,  and 
Captain  Daniel  Hawley  undertook  to  secure  his  person.  On  the 


A  PATRIOT'S  SUFFERINGS.  335 

4th  of  November,  aided  by  twenty-five  volunteers,  lie  proceeded 
to  Mr.  Jones'  residence  at  about  nine  in  the  evening.  There  was 
a  bail  in  the  house,  and  the  noise  of  music  and  dancing  prevented 
the  approach  of  the  adventurers  being  heard.  Captain  Hawley 
knocked  at  the  door,  and  perceiving  that  nobody  heard  him, 
forced  it,  and  found  Judge  Jones  standing  in  the  entry.  He  in 
stantly  told  him  he  was  his  prisoner,  and  immediately  conducted 
him  off  noiselessly,  together  with  a  young  gentleman  whose  name 
was  Hewlett.  A  guard  of  soldiers  was  posted  at  a  small  distance 
from  the  road.  When  they  came  near  the  spot,  Judge  Jones 
hemmed  very  loud,  and  was  forbidden  by  Capt.  Hawley  to  repeat 
the  sound.  He,  however,  did  repeat  it ;  but  being  told  by  his 
conductor  that  another  repetition  would  be  followed  by  fatal  con 
sequences,  he  desisted.  They  reached  their  destination  safely  with 
their  prisoner.  Mr.  Jones  was  hospitably  entertained  at  the  house 
of  Mrs.  Silliman,  and  when  the  exchange  was  effected,. the  vessels 
that  contained  them  met  mid  way  on  the  sound.  The  two  gen 
tlemen  having  dined  together,  parted,  and  proceeded  immediately 
to  their  respective  places  of  destination." 


A  PATRIOT'S  SUFFERINGS. 

"  So  OK  after  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  an  event  occurred  which 
exhibited  in  bold  relief  the  intrepidity  and  patriotism  of  Captain 
Birdsall,  a  whig  officer.  An  American  vessel,  laden  with  flour 
for  the  army,  had  been  captured  by  the  British,  in  the  Sound ;  and 
Col.  Birdsall  believing  she  might  be  retaken,  offered,  if  the  under 
taking  was  approved  of  by  his  superior  officer,  to  superintend  the 


336  COLONEL    JOHN    SMALL. 

enterprize  himself.  The  proposal  was  accepted,  when  the  captain, 
with  a  few  select  men,  made  the  experiment,  and  succeeded  in 
sending  the  vessel  to  her  original  destination.  But  it  so  happen 
ed  that  himself  and  one  of  his  men  were  taken  prisoners  by  the 
enemy.  It  was  his  fate  to  be  imprisoned  in  the  jail,  then  called 
the  Provost,  under  the  surveillance  of  that  monster  in  human 
shape,  the  infamous  Cunningham.  He  requested  the  use  of  pen, 
ink,  and  paper,  for  the  purpose  of  acquainting  his  family  of  his 
situation.  On  being  refused,  lie  made  a  reply,  Avhich  drew  from 
the  keeper  some  opprobious  epithets,  accompanied  by  a  thrust  of 
his  sword,  which  penetrated  the  shoulder  of  his  victim,  and  caused 
the  blood  to  flow  freely.  Being  locked  up  alone  in  a  filthy  apart 
ment,  and  denied  any  assistance  whatever,  he  was  obliged  to  dress 
the  wound  with  his  own  linen ;  and  then  to  endure,  in  solitude 
and  misery,  every  indignity  which  the  malice  of  the  Provost-mar 
shal  urged  him  to  inflict  upon  a  damned  rebel,  who,  he  declared, 
'  ought  to  be  hung?  After  several  miserable  months  of  confinement 
and  starvation,  he  was  exchanged," 


COLONEL  JOHN  SMALL. 

COLONEL  JOHN  SMALL  was  an  officer  in  the  British  army,  who 
had  served  in  the  French  wars,  and  was  the  dearly  valued  friend 
of  Israel  Putnam.  When  the  war  broke  out  with  the  mother 
country,  he  obeyed  the  dictates  of  his  prejudices,  and  supported 
the  cause  of  the  king,  as  he  was  undoubtedly  bound  to  do  by  his 
birth  and  allegiance.  The  following  incidents,  which  occurred  at 
Bunker  Hill,  he  has  given  to  the  world  himself.  They  redound 


COLONEL    JOHN    SMALL.  337 

to  the  credit  of  Putnam,  as  well  as  confirm  his  own  reputation  for 
honor  and  courage.  They  were  related  to  Mr.  Turnbull,  in  Lon 
don,  in  1786,  who  at  that  time  was  engaged  on  a  painting  of  the 
battle,  and  we  give  them  in  his  own  words.  "When  the  British 
troops  advanced  the  second  time  to  the  attack  of  the  redoubt,  I, 
with  other  officers,  was  in  front  of  the  line  to  encourage  the  men ; 
we  had  advanced  very  near  the  works  undisturbed,  when  an  irre 
gular  fire,  like  a  feu  de  joie  was  poured  in  upon  us ;  it  was  cruelly 
fatal.  The  troops  fell  back,  and  when  I  looked  to  the  right  and 
the  left,  I  saw  not  one  officer  standing  ;  I  glanced  my  eye  to  the 
enemy,  and  saw  several  young  men  levelling  their  pieces  at  me ; 
I  knew  their  excellence  as  marksmen,  and  considered  myself  gone. 
At  this  moment  my  old  friend  Putnam  rushed  forward,  and  stri 
king  up  the  muzzles  of  their  pieces  with  his  sword,  cried  out,  '  For 
God's  sake,  my  lads,  don't  fire  at  that  man — I  love  him  as  I  do 
my  brother  ?  We  were  so  near  each  other  that  I  heard  his  words 
distinctly.  He  was  obeyed  ;  I  bowed,  thanked  him,  and  walked 
away  unmolested. 

"  The  other  anecdotes  relate  to  the  death  of  General  Warren. 
At  the  moment  when  the  troops  succeeded  in  carrying  the  redoubt 
and  the  Americans  were  in  full  retreat,  Gen.  Howe,  who  had  been 
hurt  by  a  spent  ball,  which  bruised  his  ancle,  was  leaning  on  my 
arm.  He  called  suddenly  to  me  :  '  Do  you  see  that  elegant  young 
man  who  has  just  fallen  ?  do  you  know  him  ?'  I  looked  to  the 
spot  to  which  he  pointed — '  Good  God,  sir,  I  believe  it  is  my 
friend  Warren.'  '  Leave  me  then  instantly — run — keep  off  the 
troops,  save  him  if  possible.'  I  fled  to  the  spot,  *  My  dear  friend,' 
said  I  to  him,  '  I  hope  you  are  not  badly  hurt :' — he  looked  up, 
seemed  to  recollect  me,  smiled,  and  died !  A  musket  ball  had 
passed  through  the  upper  part  of  his  head  " 


338  ADVENTURE    BY    TWO    LADIES, 


ADVENTURE  BY  TWO  LADIES. 

DURING  the  seigc  of  Augusta,  two  ladies,  Grace  and  Rachael 
Martin,  residing  in  the  Ninety-Six  district,  South  Carolina,  learn 
ing  upon  one  occasion,  that  a  courier,  under  the  protection  of  two 
British  soldiers,  was  to  pass  their  residence,  bearing  important 
dispatches,  resolved  by  a  well  planned  stratagem  to  surprise  the 
party,  and  deprive  the  courier  of  the  papers.  Disguising  them 
selves  in  male  attire,  and  provided  with  arms,  they  concealed 
themselves  in  a  thicket  on  the  road  side,  and  patiently  awaited 
the  approach  of  the  enemy.  It  was  night,  and  the  darkness  fa 
vored  their  plan.  They  had  not  remained  long  in  their  conceal 
ment,  before  the  courier  and  his  escort  made  their  appearance. 
They  were  riding  carelessly  along,  without  apprehension  of  danger, 
when  suddenly  two  figures  sprang  from  a  bushy  covert,  and  loudly 
demanded  the  dispatches,  at  the  same  time  presenting  their  pis 
tols  in  a  threatening  manner.  Bewildered  and  alarmed,  they 
yielded  at  once  without  any  resistance.  The  ladies  then  placed 
them  on  parole,  and  hastened  home  by  a  near  route  through  the 
woods,  and  had  scarcely  arrived  and  divested  themselves  of  their 
male  attire,  when  the  same  party  came  riding  up  to  the  door,  re 
questing  accommodations.  The  mother  of  the  heroines  admitted 
them,  and  asked  "why  they  had  returned,  after  passing  her  house 
but  a  short  time  before.  They  replied  by  exhibiting  their  paroles, 
and  stating  that  they  had  been  taken  prisoners  by  "  two  rebels.*-' 
The  young  ladies,  unsuspected  by  their  guests,  rallied  them  of 
their  unfortunate  adventure,  and  inquired  "  why  they  did  not  use 
their  arms",  to  which  they  replied,  "  that  they  were  fallen  upon  so 
sudden,  they  had  not  time."  During  their  stay,  they  were  as 


CAPTURE    OF    GENERAL    WOODHULL.  339 

severely  overcome  by  the  malicious  wit  and  ralliery  of  the  ladies, 
as  they  had  been  before,  by  their  superior  bravery  and  cunning. 
The  next  day  they  rode  away,  little  dreaming  that  their  hosts  had 
been  their  conquerors.  The  dispatches  obtained  in  the  heroic 
manner  described,  were  sent  to  General  Greene,  and  proved  of 
importance. 


CAPTURE  OF  GENERAL  WOODHULL. 

ON  August  28th,  1776,  a  party  of  British  light  horse,  entered 
Jamaica,  Long  Island,  in  pursuit  of  General  Woodhull,  who  had 
left  that  town  but  a  short  time  before.  He  was  pursued  and  over 
taken  at  Carpenter's  inn,  two  miles  east  of  Jamaica,  where  he  had 
sought  shelter  from  the  rain.  He  had  dispatched  his  men,  some 
ninety  in  number,  on  in  advance,  while  he  remained,  expecting 
messengers  from  Congress.  The  general  was  just  corning  out  of 
the  house,  and  proceeding  to  the  shed  where  his  horse  was  tied, 
when  the  enemy  appeared,  dashing  up  to  him,  and  shouting, 

"  surrender,  you  d d  rebel !"  The  general  delivered  his  sword, 

on  the  assurance  from  his  captors,  that  he  should  be  treated  like 
an  honorable  prisoner,  and  a  gentleman.  But  no  sooner  was  the 
venerable  soldier  completely  in  their  power,  than  they  brutally 
commanded  him  to  say  "  God  save  the  King !"  "  God  save  us 
all !"  was  his  sublime  reply.  "  God  save  the  king,"  they  again 
shouted,  and  struck  at  him  ferociously.  His  head,  and  uplifted 
arm  received  the  sabre  cuts  aimed  at  him,  and  seven  gashes  let  out 
the  patriot's  blood.  All  wounded  and  bleeding  as  he  was,  he  was 
mounted  behind  one  of  the  troopers,  and  hurried  off  to  Jamaica, 

15 


340 


BRITISH    BARBARITY. 


nrhere  the  surgeon  of  the  village  was  refused  permission  to  dress 
his  wounds.  A  British  surgeon  was  called  in,  who  bungingly  did 
the  work.  The  next  day  he  was  removed  to  the  Prison  ship, 
where,  notwithstanding  his  mangled  condition,  he  was  obliged  to 
sleep  on  the  bare  floor  of  the  transport,  until  a  lieutenant  privately 
provided  him  with  a  mattrass.  His  arm  mortified,  and  death 
ensued. 


BRITISH  BARBARITY. 

ON  Arnold's  expedition  into  Connecticut,  it  became  necessary, 
in  order  to  secure  possession  of  New  London,  to  capture  Fort  Gris- 
wold,  situated  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  Col.  Eyre,  with 
a  large  body  of  men,  was  dispatched  against  it ;  and  although 
the  Americans  resisted  spiritedly,  the  works  were  carried  by  the 
enemy.  During  the  contest,  one  of  the  guns  in  the  fort  was 
becoming  useless  for  the  want  of  wadding,  when  a  patriotic  lady, 
who  was  in  the  fort,  instantly  loosed  a  flannel  petticoat  from  her 
person,  and  threw  it  to  the  gunners,  with  the  exclamation,  ';  this 
will  enable  you  to  fire  a  few  shots  more." 

The  scene  that  ensued  upon  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  is  one  of 
the  blackest  stains  on  the  English  flag.  But  few  of  the  Americans 
were  killed  during  the  contest,  but  after  the  surrender,  seventy  of 
them  were  massacred  in  cold  blood.  When  Major  Montgomery 
entered  the  fort,  (his  superior,  Col.  Eyre,  being  wounded)  he  asked 
who  commanded  it.  The  brave  Col.  Ledyard,  responded  very 
civilly,  "  I  once  had  that  honor,  the  command  is  your's  now  ;" 
at  the  same  time  offering  his  sword.  The  brutal  Major  instantly 


ADVENTURE    OF    CHARLES    MORGAN.  341 

seized  it,  and  plunged  it  into  the  breast  of  his  unarmed  foe.  An 
American  officer  standing  by,  instantly  revenged  this  treachery  by 
cutting  down  Montgomery,  but  was  in  turn  slaughtered.  This 
example  of  the  officer  was  instantly  followed  by  a  general  slaugh 
ter  of  the  prisoners.  The  British  afterward  loaded  an  ox-cart  with 
wounded  Americans,  and  started  it  down  a  hill  with  the  intention 
of  running  it  into  the  river,  but  just  as  it  obtained  considerable 
velocity,  it  struck  a  large  tree,  and  the  concussion  was  so  great, 
that  several  were  killed  by  it,  and  all  put  to  the  keenest  torture. 
What  are  we  to  think  of  sucn.  wanton  barbarity  !  But  even  this 
did  not  satisfy  them.  After  removing  their  own  dead  and 
wounded,  they  laid  a  train  of  powder  to  the  magazine,  and  left 
the  fort,  although  there  were  several  wounded  Americans  within 
it  But  the  explosion  was  prevented  by  a  wounded  soldier,  who 
crawled  upon  the  train,  and  saturated  it  with  his  life  blood,  so  that 
the  fire  could  not  communicate  with  the  magazine. 


ADVENTURE  OF  CHARLES  MORGAN. 

CHARLES  MORGAN,  was  a  shrewd  private  of  the  Jersey  brigade, 
a  good  soldier,  and  had  attracted  the  notice  of  the  Marquis  de  la 
Fayette.  In  the  course  of  the  movements  on  James  river,  the 
marquis  was  anxious  to  procure  exact  information  of  the  force  un 
der  Cornwallis,  and  if  possible,  to  penetrate  his  lordship's  designs  ; 
he  considered  Charles  as  a  proper  agent  for  the  accomplishment 
of  his  purposes,  and  proposed  to  him  to  enter  the  British  camp  in 
the  character  of  a  deserter,  but  in  reality  as  a  spy.  Charles  un 
dertook  the  perilous  enterprise,  merely  stipulating  that,  if  he  were 


342  ADVENTURE    OP  CHARLES  MORGAN. 

detected,  the  marquis  should  cause  it  to  be  inserted  in  the  Jersey 
newspapers,  that  he  was  acting  under  the  orders  of  his  command 
ing  officer. 

The  pretended  deserter  entered  the  British  lines  and  was  conduct 
ed  into  the  presence  of  Cornwallis.  On  being  questioned  by  that 
nobleman,  concerning  his  motives  for  desertion,  he  replied,  "  that 
he  had  been  with  the  American  army  from  the  beginning  of  the 
war,  and  that  while  under  General  Washington,  he  was  satisfied  ; 
but  now  that  they  had  put  them  under  a  Frenchman,  he  did  not 
like  it,  and  therefore  had  deserted."  Charles  was  received  with 
out  suspicion,  was  punctual  in  discharging  his  duty  as  a  soldier. 
and  carefully  observed  everything  that  passed.  One  day  while  on 
duty  with  his  comrades,  Cornwallis,  who  was  in  close  conversation 
with  some  of  his  officers,  called  him  and  asked,  "  How  long  will 
it  take  the  marquis  to  cross  James  river  ?" 

"  Three  hours,  my  lord,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Three  hours !"  exclaimed  his  lordship,  "  will  it  not  take  three 
days  ?" 

"  No,  my  lord,"  said  Charles  ;  "  the  marquis  has  so  many  boats, 
each  boat  will  carry  so  many  men ;  and  if  your  lordship  will  take 
the  trouble  of  calculating,  you  will  find  he  can  cross  in  three 
hours."  Turning  to  his  officers,  the  earl  said,  in  the  hearing  of 
the  American,  "  the  scheme  will  not  do." 

Charles  was  now  resolved  to  abandon  his  new  friends  :  and  for 
that  purpose  plied  his  comrades  with  grog,  till  they  were  all  in 
high  spirits  with  the  liquor.  He  then  began  to  complain  of  the 
wants  in  the  British  camp,  extolled  the  plentiful  provision  en 
joyed  by  the  Americans,  and  concluded  by  proposing  to  them  to 
desert :  they  agreed  to  accompany  him,  and  left  it  to  him  to 
manage  the  sentinels.  To  the  first  he  offered,  in  a  very  friendly 


ADVENTURE  OF  CHARLES  MORGAN.          343 

manner,  a  draught  of  ruin  from  his  cariteen  ;  but,  while  the  sol 
dier  was  drinking,  Charles  seized  his  arms,  and  then  proposed  to 
him  to  desert  with  them,  which  he  did  through  necessity.  The 
second  sentinel  was  served  in  the  same  way  ;  and  Charles  has 
tened  to  the  American  camp  at  the  head  of  seven  British  deserters. 
On  presenting  himself  before  his  employer,  the  marquis  exclaimed, 
';  Ah,  Charles !  have  you  got  back  2" 

"  Yes  sir,"  was  the  answer,  "  and  have  brought  seven  more  with 
me."  The  marquis  offered  him  money,  but  he  declined  accepting 
it,  and  only  desired  to  have  his  gun  again :  the  marquis  then  pro 
posed  to  raise  him  to  the  rank  of  a  corporal  or  sergeant,  but 
Charles'  reply  was,  "  I  will  not  have  any  promotion  ;  I  have  abili 
ties  for  a  common  soldier,  and  have  a  good  character :  should  I 
be  promoted,  my  abilities  may  not  answer,  and  I  may  lose  my 
character."  He,  however,  generously  requested  for  his  fellow-sol 
diers,  who  were  not  so  well  supplied  with  stockings,  shoes,  and 
clothing,  as  himself,  the  marquis'  interference  to  procure  a  supply 
of  their  wants. 


344  EXPLOITS  ON    THE    FRONTIERS. 


EXPLOITS  ON   THE    FRONTIERS 


THE  following  daring  exploits,  which  we  draw  from  various 
sources,  admirably  illustrate  the  sagacity  and  coolness  of  our 
backwoodsmen.  Had  they  been  performed  by  mailed  and  gaunt- 
letted  knights  of  old,  and  sung  by  minstrel  chroniclers,  they 
would  to  this  day,  be  the  favored  themes  of  poets,  and  have  be 
come  immortalized.  Assuredly  they  are  as  well  worthy  a  place 
in  history,  when  enacted  by  those,  whose  unconquerable  spirits 
helped  to  form  and  rear  the  independence  of  our  country,  as  if 
performed  by  the  half-robber  hero  of  the  middle  ages.  Heroism 
is  heroism,  and  no  more,  whether  it  glows  beneath  a  leather-jerkin 
or  a  steeled  breast-plate. 

DAVID    ELERSON. 

DAVID  ELERSON  was  one  of  those  bold  spirits,  who  took  an 
active  part  in  the  Border  Wars  of  the  Revolution,  along  the  Mo 
hawk  Valley,  and  on  the  western  frontiers  of  the  State  of  New 
York.  He  followed  Sullivan  in  his  celebrated  invasion  of  the 
Indian  Territory  in  17*79,  and  while  Morgan's  rifle  corps,  to  which 
he  belonged,  was  stationed  at  the  head  of  Otsego  Lake,  occurred 
the  following  adventure  : 

"  He  had  rambled  off  to  an  old  clearing,  at  the  distance  of  a 
mile  or  more  from  the  camp,  to  gather  pulse  for  dinner.  Having 


EXPLOITS  ON   THE    FRONTIERS.  345 

filled  his  knapsack,  while  adjusting  it  in  order  to  return  to  camp, 
he  was  startled  at  the  rustling  of  the  tall  and  coarse  herbage 
around  him,  and  in  the  same  instant  beheld  ten  or  a  dozen  In 
dians,  who  had  crept  upon  him  so  cautiously  as  to  be  just  on  the 
point  of  springing  to  grasp  him.  Their  object  clearly  was  rather 
to  make  him  a  prisoner  than  to  kill  him,  since  he  might  easily 
have  been  shot  down  unperceived.  Seizing  his  rifle,  which  was 
standing  by  his  side,  Eierson  sprang  forward  to  escape.  A  shower 
of  tomahawks  hurtled  through  the  air  after  him ;  but  as  he 
plunged  into  a  thicket  of  tall  weeds  and  bushes,  he  was  only 
struck  on  one  of  his  hands,  his  middle  finger  being  nearly  severed. 
A  brisk  chase  was  immediately  commenced.  Scaling  an  old 
brush-wood  fence,  Eierson  darted  into  the  woods,  and  the  Indians 
after  him.  He  was  as  fleet  as  a  stag,  and  perceiving  that  they 
were  not  likely  soon  to  overtake,  the  pursuers  discharged  their 
rifles  after  him,  but  luckily  without  effect.  The  chase  was  then 
continued  from  eleven  till  three  o'clock — Eierson  using  every  de 
vice  and  stratagem  to  elude,  or  deceive  the  Indians,  but  they  hold 
ing  him  close.  At  length,  having  gained  a  moment  to  breathe, 
an  Indian  started  up  in  his  front  Drawing  up  his  rifle  to  clear 
the  passage  in  that  direction,  the  whizz  of  a  bullet  fleshing  his 
side,  and  the  crack  of  a  rifle,  from  another  point,  taught  him  that 
delays  were  particularly  dangerous  at  that  spot.  The  Indian  in 
front,  however,  had  disappeared  on  his  presenting  his  rifle,  and 
Eierson  again  darted  forward.  His  wounded  side  bled  a  little, 
though  not  enough  to  weaken  him.  Having  crossed  a  ridge,  he 
paused  a  moment  in  the  valley  beyond,  to  slake  his  thirst — his 
mouth  being  parched,  and  himself  almost  fainting.  On  rising 
from  the  brook,  the  head  of  one  of  his  pursuers  peeped  over  the 
crest  of  the  hill.  He  raised  his  rifle,  but  such  was  his  exhaustion 


346  EXPLOITS  ON    THE    FRONTIERS. 

he  could  not  hold  it  steady.  A  minute  more,  and  he  would  have 
been  in  the  power  of  the  savages.  Raising  his  rifle  again,  and 
steadying  it  by  the  side  of  a  tree,  he  brought  the  savage  tumbling 
headlong  down  the  hill.  In  the  next  moment  his  trusty  rifle  was 
re-loaded  and  primed,  and  in  the  next  the  whole  group  of  his 
pursuers  came  rushing  over  the  ridge.  He  again  supposed  his 
moments  were  numbered  ;  but  being  partly  sheltered  by  the  trunk 
of  a  large  hemlock,  they  saw  not  him,  but  only  the  body  of  their 
fallen  comrade  yet  quivering  in  the  agonies  of  death.  Drawing 
in  a  circle  about  the  body  of  their  companion,  they  raised  the 
death  wail ;  and  as  they  paused,  Elerson  made  another  effort  to 
fly.  Before  they  resumed  the  pursuit,  he  had  succeeded  in  bury 
ing  himself  in  a  dark  thicket  of  hemlocks,  where  he  found  the 
hollow  trunk  of  a  tree,  into  which  he  crept.  Here  he  lay  en 
sconced  two  full  days,  without  food  or  dressings  for  his  wound. 
On  the  third  day  he  backed  out  of  '  the  loop-hole  of  his  'retreat,' 
but  knew  not  which  way  to  proceed — not  discerning  the  points 
of  the  compass.  In  the  course  of  two  or  three  miles,  however,  he 
came  to  a  clearing,  and  found  himself  at  Cobleskill — having, 
during  his  recent  chase,  run  over  hill  and  dale,  bog,  brook,  and 
fence,  upward  of  twenty-rive  miles  !" 


"ABOUT  the  same  time,  and  probably  by  the  same  party  of  In 
dians,  the  premises  of  a  Mr.  Shankland,  lying  in  their  tract,  situ 
ated  in  the  outskirts  of  Cherry  Valley,  were  assaulted.  Residing 
two  or  three  miles  from  the  village,  his  house  had  escaped  the 
common  destruction  which  had  fallen  upon  his  neighbors  in  the 
preceding  autumn.  But  he  had  nevertheless  removed  his  family 
to  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk  for  safety,  and  had  returned  to  his 


EXPLOITS    OX    TUE    FRONTIERS.  347 

domicil  accompanied  only  by  his  son.  They  were  awakened  just 
before  dawn  by  the  assailants,  who  were  endeavoring  to  cut  away 
the  door  with  their  hatchets.  Taking  down  his  two  guns,  Mr. 
Shankland  directed  his  son  to  load  them,  while  he  successively 
fired  to  the  best  advantage.  But  not  being  able  to  see  the  ene 
my,  he  determined  upon  a  sortie.  Having  a  spear,  or  espontoon, 
in  the  house,  he  armed  himself  therewith,  and  carefully  unbarring 
the  door,  rushed  forth  upon  the  besiegers,  who  fled  back  at  his 
sudden  apparition.  One  of  the  Indians  whom  he  was  specially 
pursuing,  tumbled  over  a  log,  and  as  Mr.  Shankland  struck  at 
him,  his  spear  entered  the  wood,  and  par-ted  from  the  shaft. 
Wrenching  the  blade  from  the  log,  he  darted  back  into  the  house, 
barred  the  door,  and  again  commenced  firing  upon  the  assailants. 
They  had  been  so  much  surprised  by  this  rushing  out  upon  them, 
that  they  neither  fired  a  shot,  nor  hurled  a  tomahawk,  until  he 
had  returned  to  his  castle,  and  barred  the  sally  port.  During  this 
part  of  the  affray,  his  son,  becoming  frightened,  escaped  from  the 
house,  and  ran  for  the  woods.  He  was  pursued,  overtaken,  and 
made  captive.  The  father,  however,  continued  the  fight — the  In 
dians  firing  through  the  casements  at  random,  and  he  returning 
the  shots  as  well  as  he  could.  At  one  time  he  thought  of  sallying 
forth  again,  and  selling  his  life  to  the  best  advantage ;  but  by 
thus  doing,  he  very  rightly  judged  that  he  should  at  once  involve 
the  life  of  his  son.  The  Indians,  growing  wearied  of  fighting  at 
such  disadvantage,  at  last  attempted  to  make  sure  of  their  victim 
by  applying  the  torch,  and  the  house  was  speedily  in  flames.  But 
it  so  happened  that  between  the  rear  of  the  house  and  the  forest, 
a  field  of  hemp  interposed — into  which  Mr.  Shankland  contrived 
to  throw  himself,  unperceived  by  the  Indians.  Concealed  from 
observation  by  the  hemp,  he  succeeded  in  reaching  the  woods, 


348  EXPLOITS    ON    THE  FRONTIERS. 

and  making  good  his  retreat  to  the  Mohawk.  Meantime  the  In 
dians  remained  by  the  house  until  it  was  consumed,  together,  as 
they  supposed,  with  the  garrison,  They  then  raised  a  shout  of 
victory,  and  departed," 

DARING    ADVENTURE    OF  A    CAPTIVE. 

"AMONG  the  captives  taken  by  the  Indians  on  the  Ohio  in 
1780  was  a  man  named  Alexander  McConnell,  of  the  Kentucky 
settlers.  He  found  his  captors,  five  in  number,  to  be  pleasant 
tempered  and  social,  and  he  succeeded  in  winning  their  confi 
dence,  by  degrees,  until  they  essentially  relaxed  the  rigors  of  his 
confinement  at  night,  His  determination  was  of  course  to  escape. 
At  length  his  fastenings  were  so  slight,  that  while  they  were 
asleep  he  succeeded  in  the  entire  extrication  of  his  limbs.  Still 
he  dared  not  to  fly,  lest  escape  from  so  many  pursuers  should 
be  impracticable,  and  his  life,  should  he  be  re-taken,  would  surely 
be  required  in  payment  for  the  rash  attempt.  To  strike  them 
successively  with  one  of  their  own  tomahawks  would  be  impossi 
ble.  His  next  plan  was  cautiously  to  remove  three  of  their  load 
ed  rifles  to  a  place  of  concealment,  which  should,  nevertheless,  be 
convenient  for  his  own  purpose.  Then  placing  the  other  two  at 
rest  upon  a  log,  the  muzzle  of  one  aimed  at  the  head  of  one  In 
dian,  and  the  other  at  the  heart  of  a  second,  with  both  hands  he 
discharged  the  rifles  together,  by  which  process  two  of  his  ene 
mies  were  killed  outright  As  the  three  others  sprang  up  in 
amazement,  McConnell  ran  to  the  rifles  which  he  had  concealed. 
The  work  was  all  but  of  a  moment  Seizing  another  rifle,  and 
bringing  it  in  range  of  two  of  the  three  remaining  savages,  both 
fell  with  the  discharge,  one  dead  and  the  other  wounded.  The 


EXPLOITS    ON    THE     FRONTIERS.  349 

fifth  took  to  his  heels,  with  a  yell  of  horror  which  made  the  forest 
ring." 

A  GALLANT    DEFENCE. 

IN  a  German  settlement  in  the  upper  section  of  the  Mohawk 
Valley  resided  one  John  Christian  Shell,  who  had  built  a  block 
house  of  his  own,  which  was  large,  substantial,  and  well  calcula 
ted  for  defence.  On  one  occasion  when  this  district  was  threat 
ened  with  an  invasion  by  the  Indians  and  Tories,  the  inhabitants 
had  all  taken  refuge  in  Fort  Dayton,  except  Shell,  who  resolved 
to  remain  and  defend  his  own  domicil.  He  and  his  sons  were  at 
work  in  a  field,  when  a  party  of  the  enemy  appeared,  headed  by 
one  McDonald.  Himself  and  four  of  his  sons  succeeded  in  reach 
ing  their  castle,  but  the  two  younger,  twins  of  but  eight  years  old, 
fell  prisoners  into  the  hands  of  the  assailants.  Once  within  the 
house,  and  its  ponderous  door  barricaded,  Shell  commenced  the 
battle,  his  wife  loading  the  pieces,  while  himself  and  sons  dis 
charged  them.  The  besiegers,  however,  were  determined  and 
brave.  An  effort  was  made  by  them  to  set  fire  to  the  building, 
but  the  galling  fire  from  the  garrison  drove  them  back.  McDon 
ald  procured  a  crow-bar,  and  endeavored  to  break  open  the  door, 
but  a  well-directed  shot  from  Shell,  struck  him  in  the  leg,  and 
put  him  kors  du  combat.  With  the  rapidity  of  lightning  Shell 
sprang  to  the  door,  unbolted  it,  seized  the  wounded  man,  and 
dragged  him  into  the  fort,  ere  his  followers  could  arrive  to  rescue 
him.  This  was  a  most  fortunate  circumstance.  The  ammunition 
of  the  besieged  was  running  low,  and  the  consequences  of  such 
an  event  were  seriously  apprehended.  But  their  prisoner  was 
amply  provided  with  cartridges,  and  he  was  compelled  to  deliver 
them  up  under  the  threat  of  instant  death  should  he  refuse- 


350  EXPLOITS    ON    THE    FRONTIERS. 

Thus  the  leader  of  the  enemy  supplied  the  means  for  the  defeat 
of  his  own  party.  They  had  been  severely  galled,  and  now  drew 
off  for  a  respite.  The  battle  had  commenced  at  two  o'clock,  and 
it  was  now  nearly  dark.  The  garrison  also  needed  breathing 
time,  and  feeling  assured  that  the  building  would  not  be  fired 
while  the  enemy's  leader  was  in  his  possession,  Shell  ceased  firing. 
But  the  enemy  soon  rallied  to  the  fight,  and  while  Shell  was  en 
gaged  in  a  hymn  of  thanksgiving,  they  marched  up  to  the  fort, 
and  thrust  their  rifles  through  the  loop-holes,  but  Mrs.  Shell  seiz 
ing  an  axe,  by  rapid  and  sure  blows,  completely  ruined  every 
musket  thrust  through  the  walls,  by  bending  the  barrels.  A  few 
more  shots  from  Shell,  and  the  assailants  were  driven  back.  Shell 
then  ran  up  to  the  second  story,  just  at  twilight,  and  called  out 
in  a  loud  voice,  that  Capt.  Small  was  approaching,  and  added — 
"  Capt.  Small,  march  your  company  around  upon  this  side  of  the 
house.  Capt.  Getman,  you  had  better  wheel  your  men  off  to  the 
left,  and  come  up  on  that  side."  The  directions  of  Shell  were 
given  with  so  much  apparent  earnestness,  that  the  enemy  really 
believed  troops  were  approaching,  and  they  retreated,  taking  with 
them  the  two  boy  prisoners.  They  were  restored  after  the  war. 

HEROISM    OF    A    WOMAN. 

DURING  an  attack  by  Tories  and  Indians  on  Fort  Hunter,  the 
females  within  the  fortress  displayed  a  heroism  worthy  of  lasting 
praise  and  commendation.  They  were  provided  with  arms,  and 
were  prepared  to  use  them  should  occasion  offer.  The  well  of  the 
fort  was  without  the  works,  and  a  soldier  was  detached  to  bring 
water  into  the  fort  for  the  use  of  the  garrison.  The  office  was 
one  of  great  danger,  and  the  soldier  showed  signs  of  fear  and 
trepidation  in  performing  the  duty  required  of  him.  This  was 


EXPLOITS    ON    THE     FRONTIERS.  351 

observed  by  an  interesting  young  lady,  and  she  snatched  the 
bucket  and  ran  forth  herself  for  the  water.  She  was  within  the 
enemy's  fire,  but  without  change  of  color,  or  any  evidence  of  fear, 
she  drew  and  brought  bucket  after  bucket  to  the  thirsty  soldiers, 
and  escaped  entirely  without  injury. 

STIRRING    INCIDENTS. 

IN  the  spring  of  1779,  two  men  named  Cowley  and  Sawyer, 
were  captured  near  Harpersfield,  by  a  party  of  Indians,  and  carried 
off  prisoners  towards  Canada.  One  of  the  captives  was  an  Irish 
man,  the  other  Scotch.  They  were  captives  eleven  days  before  a 
favorable  opportunity  was  afforded  them  to  escape.  They  had 
arrived  at  a  deserted  hut  near  Tioga  Point,  when  they  were  set 
to  work  to  cut  wood  a  few  rods  distant.  Cowley  took  this  op 
portunity  to  take  a  newspaper  from  his  pocket,  and  pretended  to 
read  its  contents,  while  he  recounted  to  him  a  plan  for  escape,  and 
explained  the  part  they  were  to  take  in  the  attempt.  That  night 
they  lay  down  to  rest  in  the  hut,  as  usual,  a  prisoner  between  two 
Indians.  When  the  captives  were  satisfied  their  foes  were  all 
sound  in  sleep,  they  cautiously  arose  and  secured  the  savage's 
weapons,  and  shook  the  priming  from  them.  They  then  armed 
themselves,  one  with  a  tomahawk,  the  other  with  an  axe,  and 
stationed  themselves  by  two  of  the  Indians  who  were  considered 
the  most  formidable  of  the  party.  At  the  given  signal  the  blows 
fell  suddenly  and  surely  upon  their  victims ;  but  unfortunately 
Sawyer,  in  attempting  to  force  his  weapon  from  the  skull  of  the 
Indian,  drew  the  handle  from  it,  and  thus  the  rest  of  the  work 
remained  to  be  performed  by  Cowley.  The  noise  in  dispatching 
the  first  two  Indians,  awoke  their  companions,  one  of  whom  in 
attempting  to  rise  received  a  blow  from  Cowley's  axe  upon  his 


352  EXPLOITS    ON    THE    FRONTIERS. 

shoulder  which  caused  him  to  fall  back  stuimed.  The  fourth  also 
received  a  heavy  blow  from  the  axe,  but  he  escaped  to  a  neigh 
boring  swamp,  and  when  found  by  his  pursuers  was  already  dead. 
Upon  the  return  of  Cowley  and  Sawyer  to  the  hut,  while  they 
were  engaged  in  discussing  their  next  course,  the  Indian  who  had 
been  stunned  by  the  blow  of  the  axe,  suddenly  sprang  to  his  feet, 
rushed  to  the  rifles 'at  hand,  snapped  one  at  his  foes,  but  finding 
the  priming  gone,  he  dashed  into  the  woods  and  disappeared. 

The  next  morning  the  two  friends  started  on  their  return,  but 
they  soon  discovered  that  they  were  pursued  by  a  party  of  In 
dians,  who,  no  doubt,  were  hot  for  their  blood.  Their  vigilance 
and  skill  were  now  roused  to  the  utmost  During  one  night  and 
two  days  they  remained  concealed  beneath  a  shelving  rock,  and 
one  time  a  dog  belonging  to  the  enemy,  scented  out  their  retreat, 
but  to  the  astonishment  and  great  joy  of  the  fugitives,  he  content 
ed  himself  with  smelling  around  them,  and  left  without  barking 
or  otherwise  alarming  the  pursuers.  Although  surrounded  by 
the  enemy,  and  on  one  night  seeing  the  fires  lit  by  the  savages, 
literally  enclosing  them  in  on  all  sides,  they  had  the  good  fortune 
to  elude  the  vigilance  of  their  foes,  and  to  arrive  at  a  frontier  set 
tlement,  safe,  but  exhausted  from  fatigue  and  hunger. 

A  DARING    FELLOW. 

SAMUEL  BRADY  was  a  powerful,  bold  and  vigorous  backwoods 
man,  who  from  his  many  successful  attacks  on  the  Indians,  was 
particularly  obnoxious  to  them.  He  was  also  a  very  successful 
beaver  hunter,  and  on  one  of  his  excursions  to  Beaver  river,  Mo- 
honing,  in  pursuit  of  these  animals,  it  so  happened  that  he  was 
surprised  in  his  camp  and  taken  prisoner  by  a  party  of  Indians. 
To  have  slain  him  at  once  would  have  been  small  satisfaction,  he 


EXPLOITS  ON  THF.   FRONTIERS.  353 

was,  therefore,  taken  alive  to  the  encampment  of  the  savages,  for 
the  purpose  of  being  burned  alive  in  the  presence  of  all  the  In 
dians  of  the  village,  and  by  the  exquisite  sufferings  of  such  a  death, 
obtain  that  revenge  they  so  dearly  prized. 

"  After  the  usual  exultations  and  rejoicings  at  the  capture  of  a 
noted  enemy,  and  causing  him  to  run  the  gauntlet,  a  fire  was  pre 
pared,  near  which  Brady  was  placed,  after  being  .stripped  naked, 
and  with  his  arms  unbound.  Previously  to  tying  him  on  the 
stake,  a  large  circle  was  formed  around  him,  consisting  of  Indian 
men,  women,  and  children,  dancing  and  yelling,  and  uttering  all 
manner  of  threats  and  abuse  that  their  small  knowledge  of  the 
English  language  could  afford.  The  prisoner  looked  on  these 
preparations  of  death,  and  on  his  savage  foes,  with  a  firm  counte 
nance  and  a  steady  eye,  meeting  all  their  threats  with  a  truly 
savage  fortitude.  In  the  midst  of  their  dancing  and  rejoicing,  a 
squaw  of  one  of  their  chief's  came  near  him  with  a  child  in  her 
arms.  Quick  as  thought,  and  with  instinctive  presence  of  mind, 
he  snatched  it  from  her  and  threw  it  into  the  midst  of  the  flames. 
Horror-struck  at  the  sudden  outrage,  the  Indians  simultaneously 
rushed  to  rescue  the  infant  from  the  fire.  In  the  midst  of  this 
confusion,  Brady  darted  from  the  circle,  overturning  all  that  came 
in  his  way,  and  rushed  into  the  adjacent  thicket,  with  the  Indians 
at  his  heels.  He  ascended  the  steep  side  of  a  hill,  amidst  a  show 
er  of  bullets,  and  dashing  down  the  opposite  declivity,  secreted 
himself  in  the  deep  ravine  and  laurel  thicket  that  abounded  for 
several  miles  beyond  the  hill.  His  knowledge  of  the  country,  and 
wonderful  activity,  enabled  him  to  elude  his  enemies,  and  reach 
the  settlement  on  the  south  of  the  Ohio  river,  which  he  crossed 
by  swimming.  The  hill  near  whose  base,  this  adventure  is  said 
to  have  happened,  still  goes  by  his  name." 


354  EXPLOITS  ON  THE  FRONTIERS. 

On  one  occasion,  when  pursued  by  a  large  body  of  savages,  he 
approached  the  Cuyahoga,  at  a  place  where  the  river  cut  a  deep 
chasm  through  the  rocks,  leaving  a  steep  declivity  on  each  bank. 
A.S  they  drew  near  this  spot,  the  Indians  fancied  his  capture  cer 
tain,  but  they  did  not  yet  appreciate  the  powers  and  resources  of 
their  enemy.  Knowing  that  life  or  death  were  in  the  effort,  Brady, 
as  he  approached  the  chasm,  prepared  for  %a  mighty  effort,  and 
with  one  bound  cleared  the'  wide  space,  to  the  utter  and  bewilder 
ing  astonishment  of  his  pursuers,  who  stopped  short  in  admiration 
at  the  daring  and  wonderful  feat.  It  so  happened  that  in  landing 
on  the  opposite  cliff,  he  dropped  into  a  low  place,  and  seizing  the 
bushes,  he  helped  himself  to  ascend  to  the  top  of  the  cliff.  Before 
the  Indians  could  recover  their  astonishment,  he  was  half  way  up 
the  opposite  hill,  but  still  within  reach  of  their  rifles.  They  had 
forbore  to  use  the  rifle  before,  in  the  hope  of  taking  his  life, 
and  glutting,  by  torture,  their  long-delayed  revenge,  but  now  see 
ing  he  was  likely  to  escape,  they  sent  a  volley  of  bullets  after  him, 
one  of  which  wounded  him  in  the  hip.  The  Indians  having  to 
make  a  circuit  before  they  could  cross  the  stream,  Brady  now 
gained  considerably  on  them.  But  his  limb  began  to  grow  stiff 
from  his  wound,  which  retarded  his  progress,  and  his  pursuers  in 
turn  advanced  rapidly  upon  him.  He,  therefore,  made  for  a  pond, 
swam  under  water  some  distance,  and  came  up  where  the  trunk 
of  a  large  oak  which  had  fallen  into  the  water,  concealed  him  from 
observation.  The  Indians  traced  him  to  the  pond,  and  there  his 
tracks  of  blood  ceasing,  and  being  unable  to  see  any  signs  of  him, 
they  came  to  the  conclusion  that  in  attempting  to  escape  by 
swimming,  he  had  drowned.  They,  therefore,  departed,  and  then 
Brady,  fatigued  and  lame,  crawled  out  from  the  pond,  and  hurried 
towards  his  house.  The  chasm  across  which  he  performed  his 


EXPLOITS  ON  THE  FRONTIERS.  355 

wonderful  feat,  to  this  day,  is  known  by  the  name  of  "  Brady's 
Leap." 

A    FEARFUL    ENCOUNTER. 

"  IN  the  summer  of  1782,  a  party  of  seven  Wyandots  made  an 
incursion  into  a  settlement  some  distance  below  Fort  Pitt,  in  Vir 
ginia.  Here  finding  an  old  man  alone  in  a  cabin,  they  killed  him, 
packed  what  plunder  they  could  find,  and  commenced  their  re 
treat.  Amongst  their  party  was  a  celebrated  Wyandot  chief,  who, 
in  addition  to  his  fame  as  a  warrior  and  counsellor,  was,  as  to  his 
size  and  strength,  a  real  giant. 

"  The  news  of  the  visit  of  the  Indians  soon  spread  through  the 
neighborhood,  and  a  party  of  eight  good  riflemen  was  selected  in 
a  few  hours  for  the  purpose  of  pursuing  the  Indians.  In  this 
party  were  two  brothers,  of  the  names  of  Adam  and  Andrew  Poe. 
They  were  both  famous  for  courage,  skill,  and  activity.  This  little 
party  commenced  the  pursuit  of  the  Indians  with  a  determination, 
if  possible,  not  to  suffer  them  to  escape,  as  they  usually  did  on 
such  occasions,  by  making  a  speedy  flight  to  the  Ohio  river,  cross 
ing  it,  and  then  dividing  into  small  parties,  to  meet  at  a  distant 
point  in  a  given  time.  The  pursuit  was  continued  the  greater 
part  of  the  night,  after  the  Indians  had  done  the  mischief.  In 
the  morning  the  party  found  themselves  on  the  trail  of  the  In 
dians,  which  led  to  the  river.  When  arrived  within  a  little  dis 
tance  of  the  river,  Adam  Poe,  fearing  an  ambuscade,  left  the  party, 
who  followed  directly  on  the  trail,  to  creep  along  the  brink  of  the 
river  bank,  under  cover  of  the  woods  and  bushes,  to  fall  on  the 
rear  of  the  Indians,  should  he  find  them  in  ambuscade.  He  had 
not  gone  far  before  he  saw  the  Indian  rafts  at  the  water's  edge. 
Not  seeing  any  Indians,  he  stepped  softly  down  the  bank,  with 


356  EXPLOITS  ON  THE    FROiNTIERS. 

his  rifle  cocked.  When  about  half  way  down,  he  discovered  the 
large  Wyandot  chief,  and  a  small  Indian,  within  a  few  steps  of 
him.  They  were  standing  with  their  guns  cocked,  and  looking 
in  the  direction  of  our  party,  who,  by  this  time,  had  gone  some 
distance  lower  down  the  bottom.  Poe  took  aim  at  the  large 
chief,  but  his  rifle  missed  fire.  The  Indians  hearing  the  snap  of 
the  gun  lock,  instantly  turned  round  and  discovered  Poe,  who 
being  too  near  them  to  retreat,  dropped  his  gun,  and  sprang  from 
the  bank  upon  them,  and  seizing  the  large  Indian  by  his  clothes 
on  his  breast,  and  at  the  same  time  embracing  the  neck  of  the 
small  one,  threw  them  both  down  on  the  ground,  himself  being 
uppermost.  The  small  Indian  soon  extricated  himself,  ran  to  the 
raft,  got  his  tomahawk,  and  attempted  to  dispatch  Poe,  the  large 
Indian  holding  him  fast  in  his  arms  with  all  his  might,  the  better 
to  enable  his  fellow  to  effect  his  purpose.  Poe,  however,  so  well 
watched  the  motions  of  his  assailant,  that,  when  in  the  act  of  aim 
ing  his  blow  at  his  head,  by  a  vigorous  and  well  directed  kick 
with  one  of  his  feet,  he  staggered  the  savage,  and  knocked  the 
tomahawk  out  of  his  hand.  This  failure,  on  the  part  of  the  small 
Indian,  was  reproved  by  an  exclamation  of  contempt  from  the 
large  one. 

"  In  a  moment  the  Indian  caught  up  his  tomahawk  again,  ap 
proached  more  cautiously,  brandishing  his  tomahawk,  and  making 
ft  number  of  feigned  blows  in  derision  and  defiance.  Poe,  how 
ever,  still  on  his  guard,  averted  the  real  blow  from  his  head,  by 
throwing  up  his  arm,  and  receiving  it  on  his  wrist,  in  which  he 
was  severely  wounded  ;  but  not  so  as  to  entirely  lose  the  power 
of  his  arm.  In  this  perilous  moment,  Poe,  by  a  violent  effort, 
broke  loose  from  the  Indian,  snatched  up  one  of  the  Indian's  guns, 
and  shot  the  small  Indian  through  the  breast,  as  lie  ran  up  the 


EXPLOITS    ON    THE    FRONTIERS.  357 

third  time  to  tomahawk  him.  The  large  Indian  was  now  on  his 
feet,  and  grasping  Poe  by  a  shoulder  and  leg,  threw  him  down  on 
the  bank.  Poe  instantly  disengaged  himself,  and  got  on  his  feet. 
The  Indian  then  seized  him  again,  and  a  new  struggle  ensued, 
which,  owing  to  the  slippery  state  of  the  bank,  ended  in  the  fall 
of  both  combatants  into  the  water.  In  this  situation,  it  was  the 
object  of  each  to  drown  the  other.  Their  efforts  to  effect  their 
purpose,  were  continued  for  some  time  with  alternate  success,  some 
times  one  being  under  the  water,  and  sometimes  the  other.  Poe 
at  length  seized  the  tuft  of  hair  on  the  scalp  of  the  Indian, 
with  which  he  held  his  head  under  water  until  he  supposed  him 
drowned.  Relaxing  his  hold  too  soon,  Poe  instantly  found  his 
gigantic  antagonist  on  his  feet  again,  and  ready  for  another  com 
bat.  In  this  they  were  carried  into  the  water  beyond  their  depth. 
In  this  situation  they  were  compelled  to  loose  their  hold  on  each 
other,  and  swim  for  mutual  safety,  Both  sought  the  shore,  to 
seize  a  gun,  and  end  the  contest  with  bullets.  The  Indian  being 
the  best  swimmer,  reached  the  land  fir>L  Poe  seeing  this,  im 
mediately  turned  back  into  the  water,  to  escape,  if  possible,  being 
shot,  by  diving.  Fortunately  the  Indian  caught  up  the  rifle  with 
which  Poe  had  killed  the  other  warrior.  At  this  juncture,  An 
drew  Poe  arrived  upon  the  spot.  Missing  his  brother  from  the 
party,  and  supposing  from  the  report  of  the  gun  which  he  shot, 
that  he  was  either  killed,  or  engaged  in  a  conflict  with  the  Indians, 
hastened  in  the  direction  whence  the  firing  came.  On  seeing  him, 
Adam  called  out  to  him  to  '  kill  the  big  Indian  on  shore.'  But 
Andrew's  gun,  like  that  of  the  Indian's,  was  empty.  The  contest 
was  now  between  the  white  and  the  Indian,  who  should  load  and 
fire  first.  Very  fortunately  for  Poe,  the  Indian  in  loading  drew 
the  ramrod  from  the  thimbles  of  the  stock  of  the  o-un  with  so 


358  EXPLOITS    ON    THE    FRONTIERS. 

much  violence,  that  it  slipped  out  of  his  hand,  and  fell  a  little  dis 
tance  from  him.  He  quickly  caught  it  up,  and  rammed  down  hia 
bullet.  This  little  delay  gave  Poe  the  advantage.  He  shot  the 
Indian  as  he  was  raising  his  gun  to  take  aim  at  him." 

During  the  contest  between  Poe  and  the  Indians,  the  rest  of 
the  party  had  overtaken  the  remaining  five  of  them.  A  desperate 
conflict  ensued,  in  which  all  of  the  Indians  were  killed,  save  one, 
who  alone  escaped  to  tell  the  melancholy  tale  of  the  fate  of  his 
fellows.  There  was  great  grief  in  the  Wyandot  nation.  The  big 
Indian,  and  four  of  his  brothers,  who  were  all  killed  in  this  con 
flict,  were  distinguished  chiefs,  and  their  fall  caused  universal 
mourning. 


MISCELLANEOUS  ANECDOTES.  359 


MISCELLANEOUS  ANECDOTES. 


IN  one  of  the  numerous  partisan  encounters  in  the  South,  Capt. 
Falls,  a  gallant  and  heroic  officer,  while  leading  a  body  of  militia 
against  a  detachment  of  tories,  was  shot  through  the  heart,  and 
fell  dead.  He  had  been  accompanied  to  the  battle  by  his  son,  a 
youth  of  fourteen.  "  When  the  captain  fell,  this  high-niinded 
stripling,  moved  by  an  instinctive  impulse  of  affection,  sprang 
from  his  horse,  to  embrace  the  body/and  protect  it  from  insult. 
One  of  the  enemy,  believed  to  be  the  same  that  had  shot  the  cap 
tain,  advancing  with  a  view  to  plunder  the  corpse,  the  son,  sud 
denly  snatching  the  sword  of  the  deceased,  plunged  it  into  the 
bosom  of  the  marauder,  and  thus,  at  once,  punished  audacity,  and 
nobly  revenged  his  father's  death." 

Ax  the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  the  following  ludicrous  inci 
dent  occurred.  The  Americans  had  pursued  the  English  so  closely 
that  they  had  taken  refuge  in  a  brick  dwelling,  while  in  their 
haste  to  close  the  door  upon  the  rapidily  advancing  Americans, 
they  shut  out  some  of  their  own  officers,  who  were  immediately 
surrounded  by  their  captors.  The  Americans  were  now  exposed 
to  a  galling  fire,  from  those  within  the  building,  and  they  only 


360  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

found  safety  by  interposing  the  persons  of  their  captives  between 
themselves  and  the  marksmen  at  the  windows.  Among  the 
British  officers  taken,  was  one  Major  Barry,  who  without  the 
slightest  resistance,  began  only  with  a  profound  solemnity  to  enu 
merate  his  many  titles.  "  Sir,  I  am  Henry  Barry,  Deputy  Adju 
tant  General  of  the  British  army,  Secretary  to  the  commandant  of 
Charleston,  captain  of  the  52d  regiment,  &e."  "Enough,  enough,'' 
replied  Col.  Manning,  in  whose  hands  he  had  fallen,  "  You  are 
just  the  man  I  was  looking  of.  Fear  nothing  :  you  shall  screen 
me  from  danger,  and  I  shall  take  especial  care  of  you,"  and  with 
the  pompous  major  held  before  his  person,  the  American  officer 
secured  a  safe  retreat. 

WHEN  the  British  obtained  possession  of  Charleston,  General 
Gadsden  was  lieutenant-governor  of  South  Carolina,  and  he  was 
among  those  paroled  by  the  English  commanders.  But  irritated 
by  the  popular  outbreaks  under  Marion  and  Sumter,  the  English 
so  far  lost  their  sense  of  justice,  as  to  arrest  a  large  number  of  the 
citizens,  among  whom  was  Gadsden.  He  was  arrested  in  his 
house,  and  conveyed  on  board  a  prison-ship,  and  thence  to 
St.  Augustine.  Here  he  was  oifered  his  parole  on  condition,  that 
he  should  do  nothing  "  prejudicial  to  the  British  interests."  Gads- 
den  received  the  proposition  with  scorn.  "  With  men,"  said  he, 
"  who  have  once  deceived  me,  I  can  enter  into  no  new  contract. 
I  gave  one  parole,  and  although  I  strictly  observed  its  conditions, 
I  have  been  seized,  hurried  from  my  family  and  home,  and  in  the 
most  unlawful  manner.  And  now  I  am  asked  for  more  pledges 
by  those  who  will  be  bound  by  none.  No,  sir ;  I  will  give  no 
new  parole."  "  Think  better  of  it,"  was  the  reply  of  the  British 
officer.  "  Your  rejection  of  this  officer,  consigns  you  to  a  dun- 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  361 

geon."  "lam  ready  for  it — prepare  it,"  was  the  answer;  "I 
will  give  no  parole,  so  kelp  me  God  /"  He  was  thrown  into  the 
dungeon  of  the  castle  of  St.  Augustine,  where  he  lay  for  ten 
months,  kept  from  all  intelligence,  without  society,  and  even  pre 
vented  from  seeing  his  fellow  captives. 

THE  sobriquet  of  "  Game  Cock,"  was  applied  to  Sumter,  the 
renowned  partisan  chief  of  South  Carolina,  which  he  received,  it 
is  said,  under  the  following  circumstance.  While  he  was  seeking 
recruits,  he  applied  one  day  to  several  brothers,  by  name  Gilles 
pie,  who  were  remarkably  fond  of  cock-fighting.  They  had  in 
their  possession  a  blue  hen,  of  the  fighting  species,  whose  progeny 
were  celebrated  for  their  courage.  Among  them  was  one  named 
Puck,  which  had  never  been  defeated  in  a  conflict.  Sumter  sud 
denly  appeared  among  the  brothers,  while  they  were  engaged  in 
their  sport,  and  with  ill-disguised  contempt,  he  pronounced  their 
employment  child-like  and  cruel,  and  abruptly  told  them,  that  if 
they  would  go  with  him,  he  would  give  them  worthier  game,  "  and 
teach  them  how  to  fight  with  men."  Struck  with  his  courageous 
and  fiery  bearing,  they  took  him  at  his  word,  and  cried  out,  "  1'uck 
for  ever !  He  is  one  of  the  '  Blue  Hen's  chickens  !'  "  The  sobri 
quet  stuck  to  him  always  and  afterwards,  and  he  was  known 
among  his  enemies,  as  well  as  among  his  men,  by  the  nom  de 
guerre  of  the  "  Game  Cock." 

ONE  morning,  during  the  seige  of  Charleston,  Gen.  Moultrie 
was  awakened  by  a  more  than  ordinary  furious  cannonading  from 
the  enemy,  and  just  as  he  leapt  from  his  bed,  a  cannon  ball  came 
crashing  through  the  house,  traversing  the  entire  length  of  the 


62  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

bed,  tearing  it  to  pieces,  and  scattering  the  fragments  in  every 
direction,  after  which  mischief  it  continued  on  its  career. 

IN  the  celebrated  battle  of  Fort  Moultrie  a  most  remarkable 
coolness  was  manifested  by  the  Americans.  Moultrie,  as  well 
as  several  of  his  officers,  smoked  their  pipes  during  the  action, 
and  only  removed  them  when  they  had  occasion  to  issue  orders. 
Moultrie,  in  his  Memoirs,  gives  us  the  following  little  incident, 
which  speaks  well  for  the  coolness  of  his  men.  "  When  the  ac 
tion  begun  (it  being  a  warm  day,)  some  of  the  men  took  oft"  their 
coats  and  threw  them  upon  the  top  of  the  merlons.  I  saw  a  shot 
take  one  of  them  and  throw  it  into  a  small  tree  behind  the  plat 
form.  It  was  noticed  by  our  men,  and  they  cried  out,  '  Look  at 
the  coat !' " 

WHEN  General  Greene  was  retreating  from  the  Catawba,  an 
incident  occurred  which  admirably  illustrates  the  sacrificing  spirit 
of  the  American  women.  On  the  line  of  his  retreat  he  stopped 
at  a  house  for  repose  and  refreshment.  He  had  ridden  all  the 
day  in  a  severe  rain  storm,  and  he  was  wet,  fatigued,  and  his 
heart  was  sad  and  burdened  with  gloomy  forebodings.  His  land 
lady  observed  his  despondency,  and  upon  asking  him  about  his 
condition,  he  replied  that  he  was  "  tired,  hungry,  and  penniless." 
Refreshments  were  provided  for  him,  and  after  he  had  partaken 
of  them,  the  good  woman  drew  him  into  a  private  apartment,  and 
placing  in  his  hands  two  bags  of  specie — all  her  wealth,  made 
up  of  the  little  savings  of  years,  she  said,  "  Take  these  ;  I  can  do 
without  them,  and  they  are  necessary  to  you." 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  363 

IN  one  district  of  the  South  during  the  war  the  young  women 
at  harvest  time,  formed  themselves  into  a  company  of  reapers, 
and  went  to  all  the  farms  of  the  neighborhood,  and  if  the  reply 
to  the  question — "  Is  the  owner  out  with  the  fighting  men  ?"  was 
in  the  affirmative,  they  would  set  to,  cut  and  garner  all  the  grain. 
It  was  o-enerally  no  small  undertaking,  and  five  or  six  weeks  of 
unceasing  toil  were  necessary  to  complete  their  rounds.  Similar 
companies  were  formed  in  New  York  and  Long  Island.  A  whig 
paper  of  July  25th,  1776;  says:  "The  most  respectable  ladies 
set  the  example,  and  say  they  will  take  the  farming  business  on 
themselves  so  long  as  the  rights  and  liberties  of  their  country 
require  the  presence  of  their  sons,  husbands,  and  lovers  in  the 
field." 

Ox  one  occasion  a  person  by  the  name  of  Mills,  belonging  to 
Sumter's  troops,  was  despatched  to  Charleston  to  draw  money  for 
the  troops.  He  soon  observed  that  he  was  dogged  by  an  indi 
vidual  of  a  suspicious  appearance,  and  just  as  he  was  preparing 
to  leave  the  city,  he  managed  to  enter  into  a  friendly  conversation 
with  the  man,  and  invited  him  to  his  room.  The  stranger  com 
plied,  but  no  sooner  had  he  entered  than  Mills  closed  and  locked 
the  door,  then  produced  a  decanter  of  brandy,  and  told  the  man 
he  must  drink  up  the  brandy  on  penalty  of  being  shot.  There 
was  no  alternative,  and  the  fellow  was  obliged  to  comply.  When 
he  became  hopelessly  drunk,  Mills  left  him,  mounted  his  horse, 
and  left  the  city. 

'•  MARY  KNIGHT  was  one  of  those  devoted  women  who  contri 
buted  to  the  relief  of  Washington's  army  at  Valley  Forge — cook 
ing  and  carrying  provisions  to  them  alone,  through  the  depth  of 


364 


MISCELLANEOUS     ANECDOTES. 


winter,  even  passing  through  the  outposts  of  the  British  army  in 
the  disguise  of  a  market-woman.  And  when  AVashington  was 
compelled  to  retreat  before  a  superior  force,  she  concealed  her 
brother,  Gen.  Worrell  (when  the  British  set  a  price  on  his  head,) 
in  a  cider  hogshead  in  the  cellar  for  three  days,  and  fed  him 
through  the  bung-hole ;  the  house  being  ransacked  four  different 
times  by  the  troops  in  search  of  him,  without  success." 


IN  the  battle  of  Monmouth  a  gunner  wras  killed,  and  a  call  wras 
made  for  another  to  supply  his  place,  when  the  wrife  of  the  fallen 
soldier,  who  had  followed  him  through  the  wars,  advanced  and 
took  his  station,  expressing  a  wish  to  do  her  duty,  and  impelled 
by  a  desire  to  revenge  his  death.  The  gun  was  well  managed, 
and  Washington  was  so  much  pleased  at  the  report  of  her  con 
duct,  that  after  the  battle  he  summoned  her  before  him,  and  gave 
her  a  lieutenant's  commission.  She  was  afterwards  called  in  the 
army,  Captain  Molly. 

THE  British  troops  in  their  expedition  into  Connecticut  passed 
through  the  village  of  Danbury,  when  the  following  incident  oc 
curred.  As  the  enemy  were  advancing  along  the  old  Reading 
road,  one  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  rode  his  horse  up  to  the 
summit  of  an  eminence,  directly  in  their  front.  Waving  his  hat 
with  his  sword,  and  turning  his  face  as  though  he  was  addressing 
an  army  behind  him,  he  thundered  out,  "  Halt  the  whole  Uni 
verse  !  break  off  by  kingdoms  /"  The  Britishers,  astounded  by 
such  an  incident,  came  to  a  halt.  Their  cannon  were  brought 
forward,  and  flanking  parties  sent  out  to  make  discoveries.  Mr. 
FTalcourt,  which  was  the  name  of  this  eccentric  individual,  finding 


MISCELLANEOUS     ANECDOTES.  365 

himself  on  the  point  of  being  surrounded,  made  a  rapid  retreat 
and  escaped  from  his  pursuers. 


Ax  the  battle  of  Bennington  an  old  farmer  had  five  sons  in  the 
field.  When  it  was  over  a  friend  came  to  him,  and  said,  "  I  have 
sad  news  for  you."  "  What  is  it,"  replied  the  father ;  "  have  my 
sons  run  away  from  the  fight  ?''  "  No,"  replied  the  friend,  "  but 
one  is  dead."  "  Bring  him  to  me,"  replied  the  old  man  with  an 
unchanged  countenance.  The  lifeless  form  of  his  dead  boy  was 
laid  before  him.  There  was  not  a  tear  in  the  old  man's  eye,  and 
not  a  groan  escaped  from  his  lips.  He  stooped  to  wipe  the  blood 
from  the  wounds,  and  to  gaze  into  the  pallid  face  before  him. 
"  It  is  the  happiest  day  of  my  life,"  said  he,  "  to  know  that  my 
five  sons  have  fought  nobly  for  freedom,  even  though  one  has 
fallen  on  the  altar  of  his  country."  A  similar  incident  has  im 
mortalized  the  Roman  Cato,  but  how  few  are  acquainted  with  this 
instance  of  sublime  patriotism,  manifested  by  an  obscure  country 
farmer  I 

"  SOME  time  in  the  year  '70,  the  British  sloop-of-war,  Unicorn, 
put  into  Holme's  Hole,  on  the  island  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  and 
having  landed  a  detachment  of  marines,  pressed  into  service  a 
number  of  pilots.  Upon  this  island,  a  liberty-tree  had  been 
erected,  around  which  the  citizens  were  wont  to  assemble,  and 
pledge  their  fortunes  and  their  sacred  honors  in  the  cause  of  lib 
erty.  Now  his  Majesty's  ship  was  in  want  of  a  spar,  and  as  the 
only  stick  of  timber  on  the  island  that  would  answer  for  the  pur 
pose,  was  the  liberty-tree,  down  it  must  come.  The  panic 
stricken  citizens  consented  to  sell  it  to  them,  and  on  the  morrow 


366  MISCELLANEOUS  ANECDOTES. 

it  was  to  be  delivered  on  board.  But  there  was  a  numerous  party 
who  did  not  agree  to  this  contract,  and  resolved  to  prevent  its 
execution.  Three  young  girls,  named  Parnel  Manter,  Horiah 
Allen,  and  Mary  Milman,  whose  young  eyes  had  not  yet  beheld 
the  frosts  of  sixteen  winters,  met  together  on  that  evening  around 
the  sacred  tree,  and  by  means  of  augurs,  pierced  it  with  numerous 
holes,  which  they  filled  with  gunpowder ;  they  then  cautiously 
applied  the  match,  and  their  emblem  of  liberty  was  shattered  in 
many  pieces."  A  few  years  since,  the  only  living  member  of  the 
heroic  trio,  who  ought  to  be  immortalized  in  song,  Mary  Milman 
was  in  age  and  distress,  and  was  obliged  to  apply  to  congress  for 
relief. 

AT  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  among  the  Americans  wounded, 
was  Lieut.  Tallman.  He  was  shot  through  the  throat,  and 
crawled  behind  the  barn  to  die.  Two  soldiers  came  to  his  relief, 
and  raising  him  from  the  ground,  were  retreating  with  him  across 
an  orchard,  when  a  musket  ball  passing  through  the  hat  of  one  of 
them,  he  hastily  abandoned  his  charge  and  ran  away.  The  other 
supported  him  to  the  dwelling  of  a  Mr.  Cook,  in  the  vicinity, 
where  also  was  carried  another  wounded  officer,  Mr.  Nealey. 
Here  they  both  received  the  kindest  treatment  and  both  officers 
recovered.  But  Captain  Neally  in  receiving  balm  for  the  injury 
in  his  flesh,  became  wounded  in  a  more  tender  point.  There 
arose  between  him  and  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Cook,  who  had  hovered 
over  his  couch  in  the  shape  of  a  "  'ministering  angel,"  a  romantic 
attachment,  which  finally  resulted  in  marriage. 

ON  one  occasion,  when  Baron  Steuben  was  reviewing  a  regi 
ment,  he  heard  the  name  of  Benedict  Arnold  called  in  the  muster 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES  367 

roll.  He  commanded  the  person  bearing  the  offensive  name,  to 
immediately  advance  from  the  line.  The  baron  after  surveying 
him  for  a  few  moments,  said,  "  change  your  name,  brother  soldier ; 
you  are  too  respectaole  to  bear  the  name  of  a  traitor."  "  What 
name  shall  I  take,  general  ?"  inquired  the  young  man.  "  Take 
any  other  ;  mine  is  at  your  service."  He  accepted  it,  and  imme 
diately  had  his  name  entered  as  Frederick  William  Steuben. 

THE  ladies  of  the  revolution  in  Middlesex  county,  Massachu 
setts,  obtained  considerable  celebrity,  by  an  adventure  of  a  daring 
and  interesting  nature.  Rumors  having  come,  that  a  party  of  the 
British  were  advancing,  burning  and  destroying  as  they  progressed, 
several  of  the  leading  ladies  in  the  county,  met  together  and  re 
solved  to  organize  an  opposition  to  their  approach.  The  male 
members  of  the  community  had  most  of  them  departed  to  join 
the  continental  army ;  these  ladies  therefore  clothed  themselves 
in  their  husband's  apparel,  and  armed  with  muskets,  pitchforks, 
and  such  other  weapons  as  they  could  find,  including  no  doubt, 
the  household  instruments,  which  legend  has  always  associated 
with  the  prowess  of  women,  and  proceeded  to  Jewett's  bridge, 
over  the  Nashua,  between  Peperell  and  Groton.  Here  they  took 
their  stand,  and  declared  that  no  foe,  foreign  or  domestic,  should 
pass  that  bridge.  They  selected  Mrs.  Wright  of  Peperell,  as 
their  commander. 

They  were  not  long  stationed  here,  before  one  Captain  Whi 
ting,  a  notorious  tory,  who  was  supposed  to  be  engaged  in  con 
veying  treasonable  intelligence  to  the  enemy,  was  observed  ad 
vancing  on  horseback  towards  the  interdicted  passage.  His  sur 
prise  in  finding  himself  confronted  by  such  specimens  of  soldiery, 
must  no  doubt,  have  been  great,  but  the  imperative  commands  of 


368 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 


Sergeant  Wright,  left  no  question  as  to  their  determination  of 
purpose.  He  was  unhorsed  without  ceremony,  searched,  and  the 
treasonable  correspondence  discovered  concealed  in  his  boots.  He 
was  then  sent  to  the  proper  authorities,  and  the  ladies  returned  to 
their  voluntary  duties. 

THE  Hon.  James  Schureman,  who  after  the  war,  served  four 
years  in  congress,  was  then  sent  to  the  United  States  Senate,  and 
still  later  became  Mayor  of  New  Brunswick,  was  a  prominent  and 
influential  man  in  New  Jersey,  during  the  revolution.  On  one 
occasion,  the  militia  of  New  Brunswick  were  called  out,  to  go 
against  the  enemy.  Their  captain  made  a  speech,  urged  them  to 
volunteer ;  but  not  one  complied.  Schureman,  then  in  the  ranks 
stepped  out,  and  after  volunteering  himself,  addressed  them  so 
eloquently,  that  a  company  was  immediately  formed,  which  went 
to  Long  Island,  and  was  engaged  in  the  battle  there.  In  the 
course  of  the  war,  Schureman  and  George  Thomson,  were  taken 
prisoners  by  a  party  of  British  horse.  They  were  confined  for  n 
short  time  in  the  guard-house  in  New  Brunswick.  From  this 
place,  they  were  conveyed  to  New  York,  and  confined  in  the 
sugar-house  While  here,  they  succeeded  in  enlisting  the  sympa 
thy  of  Philip  kissiek,  a  tory,  who  furnished  them  with  money, 
with  which  they  procured  food.  They  bribed  the  guard,  to  give 
them  the  privilege  of  the  yard ;  and  one  night  having  supplied 
them  with  some  liquor,  into  which  they  had  put  a  quantity  of 
laudanum,  they  dug  through  the  wall  and  escaped  to  the  upper 
part  of  the  city,  near  where  the  old  prison  stood.  There  they  got 
on  board  a  small  fishing-boat,  and  with  a  single  oar,  paddled 
across  the  Hudson  to  Powles'  Hook,  and  thence  proceeded  to 
Morristown,  where  they  joined  the  American  army. 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  369 

"  AT  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  having 
approached,  with  a  small  escort,  within  reach  of  the  enemy's 
guns,  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoitering  their  position,  his  aid-de 
camp  and  friend  was  struck  by  a  ball,  and  fell  at  his  side.  The 
officers  and  soldiers  fled  precipitately  from  the  spot ;  but  the  gene 
ral  would  not  abandon  his  friend,  while  a  chance  remained  of 
saving  his  life.  He  hastened  to  his  side,  and,  leaning  over  him, 
addressed  him  in  tones  of  kindness  and  affection,  But  it  was 
too  late  ;  the  work  of  death  was  already  done.  Turning  away 
with  deep  emotion,  he  left  the  place  with  slow  and  mournful  steps, 
and  presently  rejoined  his  escort,  who  awaited  his  coming  at  a 
safe  distance  from  the  fatal  battery.  It  is  said  that  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  was  present  in  person  at  this  scene ;  and  recognising  the 
young  marquis,  by  the  snow-white  charger  which  he  always  rode, 
was  so  touched  by  his  heroic  magnanimity  and  manly  grief,  that 
he  commanded  the  gunners  to  cease  firing,  and  suffered  him  to 
retire  unmolested." 

ABOUT  the  time  of  the  invasion  of  General  Burgoyne,  when  the 
people  were  flying  in  terror  before  his  army,  an  attempt  was  made 
to  assasinate  General  Schuyler,  by  introducing  a  savage  into  his 
house  for  that  purpose.  "  It  was  at  the  hour  of  bed  time,  in  the 
evening,  and  while  the  general  was  preparing  to  retire  for  the 
night,  that  a  female  servant,  in  coming  in  from  the  hall,  saw  a 
gleam  of  light  reflected  from  the  blade  of  a  knife,  in  the  hand  of 
some  person,  whose  dark  outline  she  discovered  behind  the  door. 
The  servant  was  a  black  slave,  who  had  sufficient  presence  of 
mind,  not  to  appear  to  have  made  the  discovery.  Passing  directly 
through  the  door  into  the  apartment,  where  the  general  was  yet 


370  MISCELLANEOUS     ANECDOTES. 

standing  near  the  fire-place,  with  an  air  of  unconcern,  she  pre 
tended  to  arrange  such  articles  as  were  disposed  upon  the  mantel 
piece,  while  in  an  undertone  she  informed  her  master  of  her  dis 
covery,  and  said  aloud,  '  I  will  call  the  guard.'  The  general  in 
stantly  seized  his  arms,  while  the  faithful  servant  hurried  out  by 
another  door  into  a  long  hall,  upon  the  floor  of  which  lay  a  loose 
board  which  creaked  beneath  the  tread.  By  the  noise  she  made 
in  trampling  rapidly  upon  the  board,  the  Indian,  for  such  he 
proved — was  led  to  suppose  that  the  Philistines,  were  upon  him  in 
numbers,  sprang  from  his  concealment,  and  fled.  He  was  pur 
sued,  however,  by  the  guard,  and  a  few  friendly  Indians  attached 
to  the  person  of  the  general,  overtaken,  and  made  prisoner." 

ON  one  occasion  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  a  stranger 
applied  to  the  residence  of  Governor  Clinton,  for  hospitality,  and 
was  received,  and  while  refreshments  were  preparing  for  him,  the 
Governor  entered  into  conversation  with  him,  in  the  course  of 
which,  in  reply  to  some  questions  proposed  by  the  host,  he  mani 
fested  so  much  uneasiness,  that  the  suspicions  of  the  family  were 
aroused.  These  suspicions  became  confirmed  in  their  minds  by 
observing  him  take  something  very  cautiously  from  his  pocket  and 
swallow  it.  Mrs.  Clinton  immediately  conceived  of  a  plan  to 
make  him  disgorge  his  secret.  She  proceeded  to  the  kitchen, 
and  put  a  dose  of  tartar  emetic  in  the  cup  of  coffee  preparing  for 
him.  The  man  partook  of  the  beverage,  and  ere  long  he  began 
to  show  signs  of  indisposition  ;  he  soon  grew  violently  sick,  and 
the  result  was,  a  small  silver  ball  was  discharged  from  his  stomach. 
The  ball  was  unscrewed,  and  found  to  contain  an  important  com 
munication  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  Gen.  Burgoyne.  The  man 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  371 

was  arrested  as  a  spy,  and  "  out  of  his  own  mouth",  as  it  was 
wittily  said,  he  was  convicted.     He  suffered  death. 


CAPTAIN  RICHARDSON,  of  South  Carolina,  was  so  vindictively 
pursued  and  hunted  by  the  British,  that  he  was  obliged  to  keep 
himself  concealed  in  Santee  Swamp.  Large  rewards  were  offered 
for  his  apprehension,  and  straggling  parties  were  out  continually 
in  search  of  him.  Notwithstanding  all  these  dangers,  he,  on  one 
occasion,  ventured  out  of  his  retreat,  in  order  to  pay  a  visit  to  his 
family.  Scarcely  had  he  been  admitted  into  his  residence,  when 
a  party  of  the  enemy  were  discovered  approaching  the  spot.  The 
moment  was  one  of  peril.  But  the  presence  of  mind  of  Mrs.  Rich 
ardson  saved  him.  She  hastened  to  the  door,  and  so  managed 
to  detain  them,  and  engage  their  attention,  that  he  was  enabled 
to  rush  out  of  the  back  door,  and  reach  his  place  of  retreat,  before 
they  were  admitted. 

"  IN  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  part  of  the  British  army  marched 
down  a  road,  leading  from  Brooklyn  to  Gowanus,  pursuing  the 
Americans.  Several  of  the  American  riflemen,  in  order  to  be  more 
secure,  and  at  the  same  time  more  effectually  to  succeed  in  their 
designs,  had  posted  themselves  in  the  high  trees  near  the  road. 
One  of  them,  whose  name  is  not  now  known,  shot  the  English 
Major,  Grant ;  in  this  he  passed  undiscovered.  Again  he  loaded 
his  deadly  rifle,  and  fired ;  another  English  officer  fell.  He  was 
then  discovered,  and  a  platoon  ordered  to  advance  and  fire  into 
the  tree ;  which  order  was  immediately  carried  into  execution, 
and  the  rifleman  fell  to  the  ground,  dead.  After  the  battle  was 
over,  the  two  British  officers  were  buried  in  a  field  near  the  place. 


372  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

and  their  graves  fenced  in  with  some  posts  and  rails,  where  their 
remains  still  rest  But,  for  '  an  example  to  the  rebels,'  they  re 
fused  to  the  American  rifleman  the  rites  of  sepulture,  and  the  body 
lay  exposed  on  the  ground,  until  the  flesh  was  rotten,  and  torn 
off  the  bones  by  the  fowls  of  the  air.  After  a  considerable  length 
of  time,  in  a  heavy  gale  of  wind,  a  large  tree  was  uprooted ;  in 
the  cavity  formed  by  which,  some  friends  to  the  Americans,  not 
withstanding  the  prohibition  of  the  English,  deposited  the  sol 
dier's  skeleton,  to  mingle  in  peace  with  its  kindred  earth." 

AT  one  time  during  the  war,  Colonel  Washington  compelled 
the  surrender  of  Colonel  Hugely,  who  was  posted  in  a  very  strong 
redoubt,  by  a  very  ingenious  method.  He  ordered  a  pine  log  to 
be  cut  and  mounted  on  wheels,  so  as  to  resemble  a  cannon.  With 
this  he  approached  the  British  commander,  and  summoned  him 
to  surrender.  Rugely  perceiving,  as  he  thought,  artillery  in  the 
ranks  of  the  enemy,  and  knowing  it  impossible  to  maintain  his 
post  against  cannon,  yielded  to  the  summons.  This  circumstance 
afforded  the  Americans  in  South  Carolina,  a  great  deal  of  merri 
ment,  and  the  Englishmen  suffered  a  corresponding  degree  of 
mortification.  Cornwallis,  speaking  of  it  in  a  letter  to  Tarleton, 
very  significantly  remarks,  "  Rugely  will  not  be  mafo  a  Briga 
dier? 

"  WHILE  Enoch  Crosby,  the  Westchester  spy,  was  on  duty  in 
the  vicinity  of  Teller's  Point,  a  British  sloop-of-war  came  up  the 
river,  and  anchored  in  the  stream  opposite  the  Point.  With  an 
unconquerable  predilection  for  stratagem,  our  hero  immediately 
concocted  a  plot  for  the  sole  purpose,  as  he  says,  of  affording  '  a 

\ 


LAXKOUs?    ANKCDOTKS.  373 

little  sport  for  the  soldiers.'  He  accordingly  proceeded  down  the 
Point,  accompanied  by  six  men,  all  of  whom,  save  one,  concealed 
themselves  in  the  woods  which  grew  a  short  distance  from  the 
shore,  while  the  other  paraded  the  beach  so  as  to  display  his  uni 
form  in  so  conspicuous  a  manner,  as  to  attract  the  notice  of  the 
officers  on  board  the  vessel.  The  enemy  swallowed  the  bait;  and 
a  boat  was  soon  put  off  from  the  sloop-of-war,  manned  with  eleven 
men,  under  the  command  of  a  lieutenant,  to  make  a  prisoner  of 
this  one  Yankee,  who  -precipitately  fled  into  the  woods  as  the 
barge  approached  the  shore.  The  Englishmen  followed,  threa 
tening  to  shoot  the  fugitive  unless  he  stopped  and  surrendered. 
As  soon  as  the  pursuers  had  passed  his  little  party,  which  were 
scattered  in  various  directions,  Crosby  exclaimed, 

"  '  Come  on  my  boys !  now  we  have  them  !' 

"  At  this  signal  every  man  sprang  up  in  his  place,  with  a  shout 
that  made  the  welkin  ring ;  making  at  the  same  time  such  a 
rustling  in  the  bushes,  that  the  British,  thinking  themselves  sur 
rounded  by  a  superior  force,  surrendered  without  resistance." 

"  AT  one  period  in  the  revolution,  Captain  Roger  Lyon,  of  North 
Castle,  New  York,  had  the  honor  of  entertaining  Gen.  Washing 
ton  and  suite,  on  their  route  to  White  Plains.  It  is  related  by 
his  grand-son,  that  during  the  entertainment,  Captain  Lyon  being 
blind,  handed  the  General  a  draught  of  good  cheer,  with  these 
words,  '  General !  the  ladies  say  you  are  a  very  handsome  man, 
but  I  cannot  see.'  '  Tell  the  ladies,'  rejoined  Washington,  '  I  am 
afraid  they  are  as  blind  as  yourself.' " 

"  NEAR  Peekskill,  on  the  road  to  Albanv,  is  situated  the  '  Sol- 


374  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

diers  Spring,'  which  derived  its  name  from  the  following  tragical 
incident.  The  British  had  landed  on  Verplanck's  Point,  and  com 
menced  so  vigorously  to  cannonade  the  village  of  Peekskill,  that 
the  Americans  had  to  retire  hastily.  Their  enemies  kept  up  a 
constant  firing  upon  them  as  they  sought  various  avenues  of  re 
treat.  A  soldier  stopped  in  his  flight  to  refresh  himself  at  the 
spring.  "While  on  his  hands  and  knees,  in  the  act  of  drinking,  a 
ball  which  struck  on  the  eminence  above  him,  glanced  obliquely, 
and  descending  the  road  with  rapid  bounds,  finished  its  course  by 
shattering  the  thigh  of  the  soldier.  Unable  to  move,  he  remained 
bleeding,  and  in  agony,  in  the  same  position,  until  a  wagon  pass 
ing  by  rescued  him.  The  wound  proved  fatal. 


IN  one  of  the  incursions  of  Indians  upon  our  frontier  settle 
ments  during  the  revolution,  a  very  romantic  incident  occurred. 
The  celebrated  chief  Cornplanter  made  an  attack  upon  the  neigh 
borhood  of  Fort  Plain,  burning  and  destroying,  and  among  the 
prisoners  he  captured  was  one  John  Abeil,  an  old  inhabitant. 
The  party  had  not  travelled  but  a  few  miles  on  their  return  when 
was  discovered  that  this  Abeil  was  almost  as  well  acquainted  with 
their  language  as  the  Indians  themselves.  This  fact  interested 
the  chief,  and  on  inquiring  of  his  captive  his  name,  Cornplanter 
knew  at  once  that  he  stood  before  his  own  father.  Abeil,  twenty- 
five  years  before,  had  been  a  trader  among  the  Indians  of  Wes 
tern  New  York,  and  in  one  of  his  visits  became  enamored  of  a 
pretty  squaw,  and  the  result  of  this  affection  was  the  graceful  and 
celebrated  warrior,  whom  the  father  now  for  the  first  time  saw 
standing  before  him.  The  chief  had  learned  from  his  mother 
the  history  of  his  parentage,  and  his  father's  name.  The  meeting 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  375 

was  certainly  extraordinary  to  a  degree.  The  young  chief  held 
out  strong  inducements  to  his  white  father  to  accompany  him  to 
his  tribe,  but  paternal  affection  did  not  seem  so  strong  in  the 
heart  of  Abeil  as  his  love  for  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  a 
white  man's  home,  and  so  he  chose  rather  to  be  restored  to  liberty, 
and  be  returned  to  his  friends.  This  was  yielded,  and  he  was 
conducted  in  honor  back  to  the  settlements.  Thus  singularly  met 
and  parted  the  father  and  son. 

GEN.  SULLIVAN  in  his  expedition  into  the  Genessee  Valley,  fired 
daily,  while  in  the  Indian  country,  a  morning  and  evening  gun, 
to  notify  the  scouting  parties  which  were  constantly  kept  out  of 
his  position.  In  one  instance  a  pleasing  incident  was  the  result 
of  these  signal  guns.  The  firing  of  a  gun  alarmed  a  party  of 
Indians  who  were  near,  and  they  scampered  off  in  great  haste, 
leaving  a  female,  who  was  in  their  company,  who  finding  herself 
thus  abandoned,  went  towards  the  American  camp.  On  being 
brought  before  Col.  Butler  she  stated  that  she  was  a  native  of 
Danbury,  Connecticut ;  had  been  married  several  years  before, 
and  was  living  at  Wyoming  on  the  occasion  of  the  massacre, 
when  her  husband  was  killed,  an  infant  at  her  breast  snatched 
from  her  arms  and  brained,  and  two  other  children  carried  away 
by  one  party  of  Indians  as  prisoners,  while  she  herself  was  retain 
ed  as  captive  by  another  party.  When  she  arrived  with  her  cap 
tors  at  their  place  of  destination,  she  was  compelled  to  live  with 
an  Indian  as  his  wife,  in  which  position  she  had  remained  until 
the  signal  gun  in  frightening  away  her  companions  gave  her  lib 
erty.  When  she  came  into  the  American  camp  she  had  an  infant 
child  which  was  the  fruit  of  her  late  unhappy  connection.  The 
child  died  not  long  after,  and  it  was  suspected  that  an  American 


376  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

soldier,  from  sympathy  to  the  woman,  had  given  it  poison.  On 
the  return  of  the  army,  she  went  back  to  her  friends  in  Connec 
ticut 

ON  one  occasion  when  a  party  of  Indians  attacked  the  house 
of  Lieut.  Vrooman,  on  the  New  York  frontier,  he  caught  up  his 
infant  child  and  fled  to  a  corn-field,  followed  by  his  wife  leading 
her  little  daughter.  He  seated  himself  against  the  trunk  of  a 
tree,  and  his  wife  was  concealed  a  few  rods  from  him  in  the  corn. 
All  would  probably  have  been  well  had  not  Mrs.  Vrooman,  not 
knowing  where  her  husband  was,  called  to  him,  which  informed 
the  enemy  of  their  place  of  concealment.  Her  call  was  scarcely 
uttered  ere  a  bullet  pierced  her  side,  and  she  fell  writhing  in 
death.  An  Indian  now  approached  and  scalped  her  little  daugh 
ter,  while  another  savage  approached  the  husband  and  thrust  a 
spear  at  him,  which  he  parried,  and  the  infant  in  his  arms  smiled. 
Another  pass  was  parried  and  the  infant  again  smiled.  At  the 
third  blow  of  the  spear,  which  Vrooman  succeeded  in  warding  off, 
the  child,  but  five  months  old,  laughed  outright  at  the  supposed 
sport,  and  this  so  awakened  the  sympathy  of  the  savage  that  ho 
forebore  in  his  attack,  and  made  Vrooman  a  prisoner. 

"  AT  the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  struggle,  General 
Heath's  division  of  the  American  army  was  stationed  at  Morris- 
ania,  on  Harlem  River,  N.  Y.  From  his  Memoirs  we  gather  the 
following  particulars.  A  picket  from  our  general's  division,  of 
four  hundred  and  fifty  me-n,  constantly  mounted,  by  relief,  at  Mor- 
risania,  from  which  a  chain  of  sentinels,  within  half  gun  shot  of 
each  other,  were  planted,  from  one  side  of  the  store  to  the  other. 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  377 

and  near  the  water  passage,  between  Morrisania  and  Montressor's 
island,  which  in  some  places  is  very  narrow.  The  sentinels  on 
the  American  side  were  ordered  not  to  presume  to  fire  at  that  of 
the  British,  unless  the  latter  began  ;  but  the  British  were  so  fond 
of  beginning,  that  there  was  frequently  a  firing  between  them. 
This  having  been  the  case  one  day,  and  a  British  officer  walking 
along  the  bank,  on  the  Montressor's  side,  an  American  sentinel, 
who  had  been  exchanging  some  shots  with  a  British  sentinel,  see 
ing  the  officer,  and  concluding  him  to  be  better  game,  gave  him 
a  shot,  and  wounded  him.  He  was  carried  up  to  the  house  on 
the  island.  An  officer  with  a  flag  soon  came  down  to  the  creek 
and  called  for  the  American  officer  of  the  picket,  and  informed 
him  that  if  the  American  sentinels  fired  any  more,  the  command 
ing  officer  of  the  island  would  cannonade  Col.  Morris's  house,  in 
which  the  officers  of  the  picket  were  quartered.  The  American 
officer  was  directed  to  inform  the  British  officer  that  the  American 
sentinels  had  always  been  instructed  not  to  fire  upon  sentinels  un 
less  they  were  first  fired  upon,  and  then  to  return  the  fire ;  that 
such  would  be  their  conduct ;  as  to  the  cannonading  of  Col.  Mor 
ris's  house,  they  might  act  their  pleasure.  The  firing  ceased  for 
some  time ;  but  a  raw  Scotch  sentinel  having  been  planted  one 
day,  he  very  soon  after  discharged  his  piece  at  an  American  sen 
tinel  nearest  to  him,  which  was  immediately  returned  ;  upon 
which  a  British  officer  came  down,  and  called  to  the  American 
officers,  observing  that  he  thought  there  was  to  be  no  firing  be 
tween  the  sentinels.  He  was  answered,  that  their  own  began  ; 
upon  which  lie  replied,  '  he  shall  answer  for  it  then.'  There  wras 
no  firing  between  the  sentinels  at  that  place,  any  more,  and  they 
were  so  civil  to  each  other  on  the  posts,  that  one  day,  at  a  part  of 
the  creek  where  it  was  practicable,  the  British  sentinel  asked  the 


378  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

American  if  he  could  give  him  a  chew  of  tobacco;  the  latter 
having  a  thick,  twisted  roll,  sent  it  across  the  creek  to  the  British 
sentinel,  who  after  taking  off  his  bite,  sent  the  remainder  back." 

IN  December,  1777,  while  Washington  was  at  Valley  Forge, 
and  the  enemy  was  in  Philadelphia,  Major  Talmadge  was  sta 
tioned  between  the  two  places  with  a  detachment  of  cavalry,  to 
make  observations  and  to  limit  the  range  of  British  foragers.  On 
one  occasion,  while  performing  this  duty,  he  was  informed  that  a 
country  girl  had  gone  into  Philadelphia — perhaps  by  Washing- 
ton's  instigations,  ostensibly  to  sell  eggs,  but  really  and  especi 
ally  to  obtain  information  respecting  the  enemy ;  and  curiosity 
led  him  to  move  his  detachment  to  Germantown,  There  the 
main  body  halted  while  he  advanced  with  a  small  party  towards 
the  British  lines.  Dismounting  at  a  tavern  in  plain  sight  of  their 
outposts,  he  soon  saw  a  young  girl  coming  out  of  the  city.  He 
watched  her  till  she  came  up  to  the  tavern  ;  made  himself  known 
to  her,  and  was  about  to  receive  some  valuable  intelligence,  when 
he  was  informed  the  British  light  horse  were  advancing.  Step 
ping  to  the  door  he  saw  them  in  full  pursuit  of  his  patroles.  He 
hastily  mounted,  but  before  he  had  started  his  charger,  the  girl 
was  at  his  side  begging  for  protection.  Quick  as  thought,  he  or 
dered  her  to  mount  behind  him.  She  obeyed,  and  in  that  way 
rode  to  Germantown,  a  distance  of  three  miles.  During  the  whole 
ride,  writes  the  Major  in  his  Journal,  where  we  find  these  details, 
"  although  there  was  considerable  firing  of  pistols,  and  not  a  little 
wheeling  and  charging,  she  remained  unmoved,  and  never  once 
complained  of  fear." 

OF  all  the  heroines  whose  names  are  imperishably  connected 


MISCELLANEOUS   ANECDOTES.  379 

with  our  history,  that  of  Elizabeth  Zane  stands  foremost.  In  1777, 
Fort  Henry  in  Ohio  county,  Virginia,  was  attacked  by  the  Indi 
ans.*  The  defence  was  made  with  vigor,  but  suddenly  the  ammu 
nition  became  exhausted,  and  surrender  seemed  the  only  alterna 
tive.  There  was  a  keg  of  powder  in  a  house  about  twelve  rods 
distant,  which  to  obtain  would  prolong  the  defence,  and  perhaps 
preserve  the  lives  of  the  whole  garrison.  It  was  resolved  that  one 
person  should  venture  out,  and,  if  possible,  secure  and  bear  into 
the  fort  the  valued  prize.  The  Indians  having  retired  a  little  dis 
tance,  a  favorable  opportunity  was  afforded,  but  it  became  difficult 
to  decide  who  should  undertake  the  service,  as  every  soldier  was 
emulous  for  the  honor  of  performing  the  perilous,  but  honorable 
enterprise.  Their  contention,  however,  was  cut  short  by  Miss 
Zane,  who  claimed  to  be  chosen  for  performing  the  duty,  giving 
as  reasons,  that  the  life  of  a  soldier  was  more  valuable  in  the  de 
fence  of  the  fort,  than  was  her  own,  and  that  her  sex  might  pre 
serve  her  errand  from  suspicion,  and  secure  the  success  of  the  plan. 
Her  resolute  manner  and  urgent  arguments  overcame  the  scruples 
of  the  officer,  and  she  was  permitted  to  make  the  attempt.  The 
Indians  observed  her  depart  from  the  fort,  but  from  some  un 
known  cause,  offered  her  no  molestation.  She  reached  the  house, 
seized  the  powder,  and  hastened  to  return.  But  by  this  time  the 
savages  comprehended  the  object  of  her  visit  without  the  fort. 
They  fired  a  volley  after  her,  as  she  with  speed  ran  rapidly  along 
to  the  gate  of  the  fort.  Fortunately  not  a  bullet  injured  her. 
They  only  gave  activity  to  her  movements,  and  reaching  the  fort, 
she  was  admitted,  to  the  unbounded  joy  of  the  garrison.  Animated 
by  so  noble  an  instance  of  heroism,  the  besieged  fought  with  a 
bravery  and  vigor  which  the  enemy  could  not  overcome,  and  they 
raised  the  seige. 


380  MISCELLANEOUS     ANECDOTES. 

DURING  the  revolutionary  war,  while  Fort  Motte,  situated 
on  Congaree  river,  in  South  Carolina,  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
British,  in  order  to  effect  its  surrender,  it  became  necessary  to 
burn  a  large  mansion  standing  near  the  centre  of  the  trench.  The 
house  was  the  property  of  Mrs.  Motte.  Lieut.  Colonel  Lee 
communicated  to  her  the  contemplated  work  of  destruction  with 
painful  reluctance,  but  her  smiles,  half  anticipating  his  proposal, 
showed,  at  once,  that  she  was  willing  to  sacrifice  her  property  if 
she  could  thereby  aid  in  the  least  degree  towards  the  expulsion  of 
the  enemy  and  the  salvation  of  the  land.  The  reply  she  made  to 
the  proposal  was  that  she  was  "  gratified  with  the  opportunity  of 
of  contributing  to  the  good  of  her  country,  and  should  view  the 
approaching  scene  with  delight !" 

"GOVERNOR  GRISWOLD  was  once  indebted  to  a  happy  thought 
of  his  wife  for  his  escape  from  the  British,  to  whom  he  was  ex 
tremely  obnoxious.  He  was  at  home,  but  expected  to  set  out  im 
mediately  for  Hartford,  to  meet  the  legislature,  which  had  com 
menced  its  session  a  day  or  two  previous.  The  family  residence 
was  at  Blackhill,  opposite  Saybrook  Point,  and  situated  on  the 
point  of  land  formed  by  Connecticut  river  on  the  east,  and  Long 
Island  Sound  on  the  south.  British  ships  were  lying  in  the  sound  : 
and  as  the  governor  was  known  to  be  at  this  time  in  his  own  man 
sion,  a  boat  was  secretly  sent  ashore  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
his  person.  Without  previous  warning,  the  family  were  alarmed 
by  seeing  a  file  of  marines  coming  up  from  the  beach  to  the  house. 
There  was  no  time  for  flight.  Mrs.  Griswold  bethought  herself 
of  a  large  meat  barrel,  or  tierce,  which  had  been  brought  in  a 
day  or  two  before,  and  was  not  yet  filled.  Quick  as  thought,  she 
decided  that  the  governor's  proportions — which  were  by  no  means 


MISCELLANEOUS  ANECDOTES.  381 

slight — must  be  compressed  into  this,  the  only  available  hiding- 
place.  He  was  obliged  to  submit  to  be  stowed  in  the  cask  and 
covered.  The  process  occupied  but  a  few  moments,  and  the  sol 
diers  presently  entered.  Mrs.  Griswold  was  of  course  innocent  of 
all  knowledge  of  her  husband's  whereabouts,  though  she  told 
them  she  well  knew  the  legislature  was  in  session,  and  that  busi 
ness  required  his  presence  at  the  capital.  The  house  and  cellar 
having  been  searched  without  success,  the  soldiers  departed.  By 
the  time  their  boat  reached  the  ship,  the  governor  was  galloping 
up  the  road  on  his  way  to  Hartford.' 

"  A  BRITISH  officer,  distinguished  by  his  inhumanity  and  con 
stant  oppression  of  the  unfortunate,  meeting  Mrs.  Charles  Elliot  in 
a  garden,  adorned  with  a  great  variety  of  flowers,  asked  the  name 
of  the  Camomile,  which  appeared  to  flourish  with  peculiar  luxu 
riance.  '  The  Rebel  Flower,'  she  replied.  '  Why  was  that  name 
given  to  it  ?'  inquired  the  officer.  '  Because,'  rejoined  the  lady, 
'  it  thrives  most  when  most  trampled  upon.'  " 

"MRS.  DANIEL  HALL  having  obtained  permission  to  pay  a  visit 
to  her  mother  on  John's  Island,  was  on  the  point  of  embarking, 
when  an  officer  stepping  forward  in  the  most  authoritative  man 
ner,  demanded  the  key  of  her  trunk.  '  What  do  you  expect  to 
find  there  ?'  asked  the  lady.  '  I  seek  for  treason,'  was  the  reply. 
'  You  may  then  save  yourself  the  trouble  of  search,'  said  Mrs. 
Hall.  '  You  may  find  plenty  of  it  at  my  tongue's  end.' " 

"  MRS.  THOMAS  HEYWARD,  in  two  instances,  with  the  utmost 
firmness,  refused  to  illuminate  for  British  victories.  An  officer 


382  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

forced  his  way  into  her  presence,  and  sternly  demanded  of  Mrs 
Heyward,  '  How  dare  you  disobey  the  order  which  has  been  is 
sued  ;  why,  madam,  is  not  your  house  illuminated  ?' — '  Is  it  pos 
sible  for  me,  sir,'  replied  the  lady,  with  perfect  calmness,  '  to  feel 
a  spark  of  joy  ?  Can  I  celebrate  the  victory  of  your  army,  while 
iny  husband  remains  a  prisoner  at  St.  Augustine  ?' — '  That,'  re 
joined  the  officer,  '  is  of  but  little  consequence  ;  the  last  hopes  of 
rebellion  are  crushed  by  the  defeat  of  Green  at  Guildford.  You 
shall  illuminate.' — '  Not  a  single  light,'  replied  the  lady,  '  shall  be 
placed  with  my  consent,  on  such  an  occasion,  in  any  window  of 
my  house.' — '  Then,  madam,  I  will  return  with  a  party,  and,  be 
fore  midnight,  level  it  with  the  ground.' — l  You  have  power  to 
destroy,  sir,  and  seem  well  disposed  to  use  it ;  but  over  my  opin 
ions  you  possess  no  control :  I  disregard  your  menaces,  and  reso 
lutely  declare — I  will  not  illuminate  !'  " 

"  A  REMARKABLE  scene  is  related  by  Dr.  Ramsay,  to  have  oc 
curred  on  the  occasion  of  Fort  Augusta,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Browne,  being  taken,  which  well  deserves  to  be  recorded.  Pass 
ing  through  the  settlement  where  the  most  wanton  waste  had  re 
cently  been  made  by  the  British,  both  of  lives  and  property,  a 
Mrs.  M'Koy  having  obtained  permission  to  speak  to  Colonel 
Browne,  addressed  him  in  words  to  the  following  effect :  '  Colonel 
Browne — in  the  late  day  of  your  prosperity,  I  visited  your  camp, 
and  on  my  knees  supplicated  for  the  life  of  my  son  ;  but  you  were 
deaf  to  my  entreaties.  You  hanged  him,  though  a  beardless 
youth,  before  my  face  !  These  eyes  have  seen  him  scalped  by  the 
savages  under  your  immediate  command,  and  for  no  better  reason 
than  that  his  name  was  M'Koy.  As  you  are  a  prisoner  to  the 
leaders  of  my  country,  for  the  present  I  lay  aside  all  thoughts  of 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  383 

revenge  ;  but  when  you  resume  your  sword,  I  will  go  five  hun 
dred  miles  to  demand  satisfaction  at  the  point  of  it,  for  the  murder 
of  my  son.' " 

SHORTLY  after  the  commencement  of  the  war,  the  family  of  Dr. 
Channing,  then  residing  in  England,  removed  to  France,  and  sail 
ed  in  a  stout  and  well-armed  vessel  for  America.  They  had  pro 
ceeded  but  a  little  way  when  they  were  attacked  by  a  privateer. 
A.  fierce  engagement  ensued,  during  which  Mrs.  Channing  kept 
the  deck,  handing  cartridges,  aiding  the  wounded,  and  exhorting 
the  crew  to  resist  until  death.  Their  fortitude,  however,  did  not 
correspond  with  the  ardor  of  her  wishes,  and  the  colors  were  struck. 
Seizing  the  pistols  and  side-arms  of  her  husband,  she  threw  them 
into  the  sea,  declaring  that  she  would  rather  die  than  see  him 
surrender  them  to  an  enemy." 

\ 

"  THE  haughty  Tarleton,  vaunting  his  feats  of  gallantry,  to  the 
great  disparagement  of  the  officers  of  the  continental  cavalry,  said 
to  a  lady  at  Wilmington — '  I  have  a  very  earnest  desire  to  see 
your  far-famed  hero,  Colonel  Washington.' — '  Your  wish,  colonel, 
might  have  been  fully  gratified,'  she  promptly  replied,  '  had  you 
ventured  to  look  behind  you,  after  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens.' 

"  It  was  in  that  battle  that  Washington  had  wounded  Tarleton, 
which  gave  rise  to  a  still  more  pointed  retort.  Conversing  with 
Mrs.  Wiley  Jones,  Colonel  Tarleton  observed :  '  You  appear  to 
think  very  highly  of  Colonel  Washington  ;  and  yet  I  have  been 
told  that  he  is  so  ignorant  a  fellow,  that  he  can  hardly  write  his 
own  name.' — '  It  may  be  the  case,'  she  readily  replied,  '  but  no 


384  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

man  better  than  yourself,  colonel,  can  testify,  that  he  knows  how 
to  make  his  mark.'  " 


"  PRE-EMISENT  in  malignity  stood  the  Engineer  Moncrief.     The 

instances  of  oppression  issuing  from  his  implacable  resentment. 

• 
would  fill  a  volume.     I  shall  confine  myself  to  one  anecdote. 

"  Mrs.  Pinkney,  mother  of  C.  C.  Pinkney,  solicited  as  a  favor 
that  he  would  not  suffer  certain  oak  trees  of  remarkable  beauty 
on  a  farm  which  he  occupied,  to  be  destroyed,  as  they  were  highly 
valued  by  her  son,  having  been  planted  by  his  father's  hand. 
'  And  where  is  your  son,  madam  f — *  At  Haddrels,  sir,  a  prisoner.' 
— *  And  he  wishes  me,  madam,  to  have  these  trees  preserved  ?' — 
'  Yes,  sir,  if  possible.' — '  Then  tell  him,  madam,  that  they  will 
make  excellent  firewood,  and  he  may  depend  upon  it  they  shall 
be  burnt.'  Colonel  Moncrief  was  no  jester.  The  promptitude  of 
his  actions  left  no  room  for  suspense.  An  opportunity  was  offer 
ed  to  injure  and  to  insult,  and  he  embraced  it.  The  trees  were 
burnt." 

"  MARGARET  WHETTEN,  the  wife  of  Capt.  William  Whetten, 
of  New  York,  was  one  of  the  true  mothers  of  the  Revolution. 
During  a  part  of  the  war,  she  resided  on  Cliff  street,  near  the  rear 
of  St.  George's  chapel.  There,  if  we  mistake  not,  she  became  a 
widow ;  and  though  not  left  in  affluent  circumstances,  she  made 
her  house  an  asylum,  especially  for  the  wounded  and  suffering 
whigs.  For  a  long  time  she  prepared  food  daily  for  the  impri 
soned  soldiers,  and  often  visited  them  and  cheered  their  drooping 
hearts  by  her  lively  and  hope-giving  conversation.  She  was  also 
accustomed  to  visit  the  hospitals  ;  and  even  the  Provost  was  not 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  385 

shunned,  though  the  marshal  was  surly  and  abusive.  Nor  did 
she  forget  the  prison-ships  ;  their  hapless  inmates  were  often  the 
recipients  of  favors  which  she  caused  to  be  sent. 

"  At  one  time  a  party  of  soldiers  was  sent  to  her  house  in  pur 
suit  of  a  suspected  enemy  of  the  crown.  Being  notified  of  their 
approach,  she  hastily  slipped  a  dressing  gown  and  night-cap  on 
him  ;  and  placing  him  in  a  large  easy  chair,  and  handing  him  a 
bowl  of  gruel,  she  pointed  the  soldiers  to  the  seeming  invalid, 
whose  fears  doubtless  contributed  to  his  paleness.  Thinking  he 
must  be  too  feeble,  just  then,  to  travel,  they  went  away.  The 
leader  of  this  duped  band  was  reprimanded  for  leaving  him  to 
his  gruel,  and  ordered  back :  meanwhile  the  invalid  had  become 
rapidly  convalescent,  changed  his  suit,  and  gone  out  to  try  the 


"  WHEN  Col.  Washington  of  the  dragoons  was  engaged  with 

Tarleton's  cavalry,  at  the  battle  of in  South  Carolina,  his 

impetuosity  separated  him  from  his  troops,  and  he  was  furiously 
beset  by  an  officer  and  a  dozen  of  British  dragoons.  In  defend 
ing  himself,  he  broke  his  sword,  and  was  in  a  most  perilous  situa 
tion.  While  defending  himself  with  his  broken  sword,  the  ene 
my  pressing  upon  him  with  the  fullest  confidence  of  destroying 
him,  Sergeant  Everhart,  of  Frederick  Co.,  Maryland,  gallantly 
rushed  up  to  him  and  handed  him  his  well-tried  sword,  with 
which  Washington  soon  extricated  himself,  cutting  down  his  an 
tagonists,  until  he  was  joined  by  his  troops.  Col.  Washington 
ever  afterwards,  attributed  the  preservation  of  his  life  to  the  timely 
relief  afforded  by  Everhart,  gratefully  acknowledging  it,  and  en 
rolled  him  on  the  list  of  his  dearest  friends  ;  and  he  never  passed 


386  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES, 

through  Freclerickstown  without  spending  a  day  or  two  with  his 
faithful  sergeant." 

"AT  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  Mrs.  Wright,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  a  distinguished  modeler  of  likenesses  and 
figures  of  wax,  was  exhibiting  specimens  of  her  skill  in  London. 
The  king  of  Great  Britain,  pleased  with  her  talents,  gave  her 
liberal  encouragement,  and,  finding  her  H  great  politician,  and  an 
enthusiastic  republican,  would  often  enter  into  discussion  relative 
to  passing  occurrences,  and  endeavored  to  refute  her  opinion 
with  regard  to  the  probable  issue  of  the  war.  The  frankness  with 
which  she  delivered  her  sentiments,  seemed  rather  to  please  than 
to  offend  him  ;  which  was  a  fortunate  circumstance,  for,  when  he 
asked  an  opinion,  she  gave  it  without  constraint,  or  the  least  re 
gard  to  consequences.  I  remember  to  have  heard  her  say,  that 
on  one  occasion,  the  monarch,  irritated  by  some  disaster  to  his 
troops,  where  he  had  prognosticated  a  triumph,  exclaimed  with 
warmth  :  *  I  wish,  Mrs.  Wright,  you  would  tell  me  how  it  will  be 
possible  to  check  the  silly  infatuation  of  your  countrymen,  restore 
them  to  reason,  and  render  them  good  and  obedient  subjects.' 
*  I  consider  their  submission  to  your  majesty's  government  is  now 
altogether  out  of  the  question,'  replied  Mrs.  Wright  :  *  friends 
you  may  make  them,  but  never  subjects ;  for  America,  before  a 
king  can  reign  there,  must  become  a  wilderness,  without  any 
other  inhabitants  than  the  beasts  of  the  forest.  The  opponents 
of  the  decrees  of  your  parliament,  rather  than  submit,  would 
perish  to  a  man  ;  but  if  the  restoration  of  peace  be  seriously  the 
object  of  your  wishes,  I  am  confident  that  it  needs  but  the  stri 
king  off  of  three  heads  to  produce  it.' — 'O,  Lord  North's  and 
Lord  George  Germaine's.  beyond  all  question  ;  and  where  is  the 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  387 

third  head  ?'  0,  sir,  politeness  forbids  me  to  name  him.  Your 
majesty  could  never  wish  me  to  forget  myself,  and  be  guilty  of 
an  incivility.' 

"  In  her  exhibition  room,  one  group  of  figures  particularly  at 
tracted  attention  ;  and  by  all  who  knew  her  sentiments,  was  be 
lieved  to  be  a  pointed  hint  at  the  results  which  might  follow  the 
wild  ambition  of  the  monarch.  The  busts  of  the  king  and  queen 
of  Great  Britain,  were  placed  on  a  table,  apparently,  intently 
gazing  on  a  head,  which  a  figure,  an  excellent  representation  of 
herself,  was  modeling  in  its  lap.  It  was  the  head  of  the  unfor 
tunate  Charles  the  First." 

"  Ox  one  occasion,  two  young  subalterns,  who  had  been 
wounded,  were  taken  prisoners,  and  on  parole,  took  up  their  resi 
dence  at  a  place  called  Dobb's  Farm.  One  day,  as  they  were  sit 
ting  down  to  dinner,  a  swarthy  man,  of  bold  and  full  countenance, 
entered  the  room  where  they  sat,  and  without  announcing  him 
self,  asked  how  they  liked  their  situation,  and  how  they  were 
treated  ?  They  answered  in  such  a  manner,  as  gave  pleasure  to 
their  good  host  and  hostess.  The  stranger  expressed  his  satisfac 
tion  also  ;  and  begging  leave  to  dine  with  the*m,  placed  himself 
at  table,  without  waiting  for  an  answer.  When  dinner  was  over, 
a  couple  of  yagers  made  their  appearance,  and  desired  to  know 
the  stranger's  commands.  "  You  will  bring  the  wine  hither,"  said 
he ;  "  get  some  refreshment  yourselves,  and  saddle  at  five  o'clock." 
The  yagers  withdrew,  and  their  commander  seeing  the  surprise 
of  the  officers,  said,  "  Gentlemen,  my  name  is  Morgan,  a  major- 
general  in  the  service  of  America."  They  interrupted  him  by 
apologies  for  the  unceremonious  reception  he  had  met  with ; 
which  he  begged  not  to  hear,  saying,  that  he  had  come  on  pur- 

17 


388  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

pose  to  see  them,  and  to  render  them  any  assistance  they  might 
require ;  adding,  that  he  was  very  glad  to  see  them  so  well  ac 
commodated.  Then  filling  a  glass  of  wine,  to  which  the  officers 
had  been  sometime  strangers,  he  gave,  "A  speedy  peace,"  in  which 
he  was  pledged  most  cordially.  The  bottle  was  quickly  circulated, 
and  the  healths  of  the  principal  commanders  in  both  armies  drank 
in  succession.  A  song  was  proposed  ;  and  after  one  of  the  offi 
cers  had  complied,  the  general  won  the  hearts  of  his  auditors,  by 
singing,  in  allusion  to  his  former  profession,  "  When  I  was  driving 
my  wagon  one  day." 

It  was  now  five  o'clock  ;  the  yagers  presented  themselves  for 
orders,  and  General  Morgan  took  his  leave  in  a  most  friendly 
manner,  assuring  them  he  would  use  the  best  efforts  for  their 
speedy  exchange,  but  adding,  very  gallantly,  "  though  I  have  no 
desire  to  meet  such  men  in  arms  against  me."  He  left  two 
hampers  of  wine  which  had  been  brought  for  the  prisoners  by  the 
yagers,  and  which  proved  of  infinite  service  to  them,  in  aiding 
the  recovery  of  their  health." 

•  * 

THE  following  anecdote,  says  a  correspondent  in  the  American 

"  Village  Record,"  comes  from  a  source  entitled  to  perfect  credit. 
During  the  revolutionary  war,  two  British  soldiers,  of  the  army 
of  Lord  Cornwallis,  wrent  into  a  house,  and  abused  the  inmates 
in  a  most  cruel  and  shameful  manner.  A  third  soldier,  in  going 
into  the  house,  met  them  coming  out,  and  knew  them.  The  peo 
ple  acquitted  him  of  all  blame,  but  he  was  imprisoned  because  he 
refused  to  disclose  the  names  of  the  offenders.  Every  art  was 
tried,  but  in  vain  ;  at  length  he  was  condemned  by  a  court-mar 
tial  to  die.  When  on  the  gallows,  Lord  Cornwallis,  surprised  at 
liis  pertinacity,  rode  near  him. 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  389 

"  Campbell,"  said  he,  "  what  a  fool  are  you  to  die  thus.  Dis 
close  the  names  of  the  guilty  men,  and  you  shall  be  immediately 
released  ;  otherwise  you  have  not  fifteen  minutes  to  live." 

"  You  are  in  an  enemy's  country,  my  lord,"  replied  Campbell, 
"  you  can  better  spare  one  man  than  two." 

Firmly  adhering  to  his  purpose,  he  died. 

Does  history  furnish  a  similar  instance  of  such  strange  devo 
tion  for  a  mistaken  point  of  honor  ? 

ONE  day  in  the  middle  of  winter,  General  Greene,  when  passing 
a  sentinel  who  was  barefooted,  said,  "  I  fear  my  good  fellow,  you 
suffer  much  from  the  severe  cold."  "  Very  much,"  was  the  reply, 
"  but  I  do  not  complain.  I  know  I  should  fare  better,  had  our 
general  the  means  of  getting  supplies.  They  say,  however,  that 
in  a  few  days,  we  shall  have  a  fight,  and  then  I  shall  take  care  to 
secure  a  pair  of  shoes." 

"  DURING  the  traitor  Arnold's  predatory  operations  in  Virginia, 
in  1781,  he  took  an  American  captain  prisoner.  After  some  gen 
eral  conversation,  he  asked  the  captain  "  what  he  thought  the 
Americans  would  do  with  him  if  they  caught  him."  The  captain 
declined  at  first  giving  him  an  answer  ;  but  upon  being  repeatedly 
urged,  he  said,  "Why,  sir,  if  I  must  answer  the  question,  you  will 
excuse  my  telling  you  the  truth  ;  if  my  countrymen  should  catch 
you,  I  believe  they  would  first  cut  off  your  lame  leg,  which  was 
Avounded  in  the  cause  of  freedom  and  virtue  at  Quebec,  and  bury 
it  with  the  honors  of  war,  and  afterwards  hang  the  remainder  of 
your  body  on  a  gibbet." 


390  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

"Ax  the  disastrous  battle  of  Camden,  while  acting  as  Aid-de- 
Camp  to  General  Gates,  General  Thomas  Pinckney,  was  despe 
rately  wounded  and  made  a  prisoner.  His  patience  and  fortitude 
remained  unshaken.  Conveyed  into  the  town,  it  was  night  when 
he  reached  Mrs.  Clay's  house  (then  by  the  fiat  of  power,  con 
verted  into  a  Hospital).  The  family  had  retired,  and  Major 
Pinckney  was  placed  on  a  table  in  the  piazza,  where  he  lay  till 
morning,  suffering  under  a  compound  fracture  of 'both  bones  of 
his  leg,  as  he  would  not  permit  the  rest  of  an  oppressed  and  pat 
riotic  female  to  be  disturbed.  This  calm  and  happy  temper  of 
mind,  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  the  preservation  of  his 
life,  for  an  exfoliation  of  the  broken  bones  following  soon  after  his 
removal  to  quarters,  and  no  surgical  aid  at  hand,  he  was  obliged 
to  direct  the  dressing  of  his  wound,  and  to  point  out  to  his  anxious 
and  intrepid  wife,  the  splinters  that  occasioned  the  greatest  agony, 
while,  with  tenderness  she  removed  them.  The  trial  was,  indeed, 
a  severe  one,  to  a  lady  of  uncommon  sensibility ;  but  there  is  no 
exertion  to  which  the  female  heart,  under  the  influence  of  its  af 
fections,  is  not  equal.  The  duty  performed,  the  fortitude  of  Mrs. 
Pinckney  was  no  more ;  her  emotion,  on  seeing  her  husband's 
sufferings,  so  totally  overpowered  her,  that  she  fainted  and  fell. 
The  recollection  of  such  tender  and  heroic  conduct  cannot  be  lost : 
it  must  ever  command  the  admiration  of  the  world,  and  to  her 
sex,  afford  a  fascinating  example  for  imitation." 

"  AN  American  officer,  during  the  war  of  independence,  was 
ordered  to  a  station  of  extreme  peril,  when  several  around  him 
suggested  various  expedients,  by  which  he  might  evade  the  dan 
gerous  post  assigned  him.  He  made  them  the  following  heroic 
reply :  "  I  thank  you,  my  friends,  for  your  solicitude — I  know  I 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  391 

can  easily  save  my  life,  but,  who  will  save  my  honor,  should  I 
adopt  your  advice  ?" 

"  COLONEL  HENDRICK  FRET,  (a  colonel  of  colonial  troops  under 
Sir  William  Johnson,  in  the  French  war),  a  wealthy  royalist,  who 
resided  in  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  and  who  feigned  neutrality, 
the  day  after  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  was  visited  by  a  party  of 
hostile  Indians.  As  they  assembled  around  the  table  to  eat,  a 
sister  of  Frey  who  was  awaiting  upon  them,  discovered  upon  the 
person  of  one,  the  shirt  of  Major  John  Frey,  a  brother  on  the  pat 
riotic  side — one  sleeve  of  which  had  been  perforated  by  a  bullet 
and  left  very  bloody.  Her  worst  fears  were  aroused,  and  nearly 
letting  fall  something  she  held,  she  ran  to  her  brother  Hendrick, 
placed  her  hands  on  his  shoulders,  and  exclaimed  in  a  tone  of  real 
sorrow  :  "  Brother  John  is  dead  !"  assigning  as  her  reason  for 
such  belief,  the  sight  of  the  bloody  trophy  before  them.  The 
colonel  who  could  speak  the  Indian  dialect  well,  desired  his  sis 
ter  not  to  show  any  emotion  before  the  Indians ;  and  endeavored 
to  quiet  her  fears,  by  remarking,  that  probably  the  shirt  had  be 
longed  to  some  one  else.  The  agitated  maiden  could  not  be  per 
suaded  into  this  belief,  as  the  garment  had  been  the  workman 
ship  of  her  own  hands ;  and  her  mental  agony  seemed  almost 
insufferable. 

"  In  a  short  time  the  Indians  left  the  house,  followed  by  Col. 
Frey,  who  overtaking  them,  inquired  of  the  possessor  where  he 
got  the  shirt,  which  covered  his  brawny  frame.  He  replied,  that 
he  had  wounded  an  officer  the  day  before,  in  the  Oriskany  con 
test,  in  an  arm  which  he  had  exposed  from  behind  a  tree,  had 
made  him  his  prisoner,  and  after  taking  from  him  such  portion  of 
his  clothing  as  he  desired,  had  sold  him  to  a  British  officer,  who 


392  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

would  possibly  take  him  to  Canada.  This  statement  tended 
somewhat  to  calm  the  apprehensions  of  the  brother  and  sister.  It 
was  found  to  be  true.  Major  Frey  was  taken  to  Canada,  and 
after  two  years  confinement,  was  restored  to  liberty." 

"  THE  following  anecdote,  Avhich  is  too  well  authenticated  to  be 
disputed,  furnishes  one  instance,  among  thousands,  of  that  heroic 
spirit  and  love  of  liberty,  which  characterized  the  American 
females  during  the  struggle  for  independence. 

"  A  good  lady, — we  knew  her  when  she  had  grown  old, — in 
1775,  lived  on  the  sea-board,  about  a  day's  march  from  Boston, 
where  the  British  army  then  was.  By  some  unaccountable  acci 
dent,  a  rumor  was  spread,  in  town  and  country,  in  and  abonit 
there,  that  the  regulars  were  on  a  full  march  for  that  place,  and 
would  probably  arrive  in  three  hours. 

"This  was  after  the  battle  of  Lexington,  and  all,  as  might  be 
well  supposed,  was  in  sad  confusion  :  some  were  boiling  with 
rage,  and  full  of  fight ;  some,  in  fear  and  confusion,  were  hiding 
their  treasures  ;  and  others  flying  for  life.  In  this  wild  moment, 
when  most  people,  in  some  way  or  other,  were  frightened  from 
their  property,  our  heroine,  who  had  two  sons,  one  about  nineteen 
years  of  age,  the  other  about  sixteen,  was  seen  by  our  informant 
preparing  them  to  discharge  their  duty.  The  eldest  she  was  able 
to  equip  in  fine  style :  she  took  her  husband's  fowling-piece, 
'  made  for  duck  or  plover,'  (the  good  man  being  absent  on  a 
coasting  voyage  to  Virginia,)  and  with,  it  the  powder-horn  and 
shot-bag.  But  the  lad  thinking  the  duck  and  goose  shot,  not 
quite  the  size  to  kill  regulars,  his  mother  took  a  chisel,  cut  up  her 
pewter  spoons,  hammered  them  into  slugs,  and  put  them  into  Jiis 
bag,  and  he  set  off  in  great  earnest,  but  thought  he  would  call  one 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  393 

moment  and  see  the  parson,  who  said,  *  Well  done,  my  brave 
boy  !  God  preserve  you !'  and  on  he  went  in  the  way  of  his  duty 
The  youngest  was  importunate  for  his  equipments,  but  his  mother 
could  find  nothing  to  arm  him  with,  but  an  old  rusty  sword.  The 
boy  seemed  rather  unwilling  to  risk  himself  with  this  alone,  but 
lingered  in  the  street,  in  a  state  of  hesitation,  when  his  mother 
thus  upbraided  him  :  '  You  John  H*****,  what  will  your  father 
say,  if  he  hears  that  a  child  of  his  is  afraid  to  meet  the  British  ? 
— go  along :  bog  or  borrow  a  gun,  or  you  will  find  one,  child  : 
some  coward,  I  dare  say,  will  be  running  away :  then  take  his 
gun,  and  march  forward  ;  and  if  you  come  back,  and  I  hear  you 
have  not  behaved  like  a  man,  I  shall  carry  the  blush  of  shame  on 
my  face  to  the  grave.'  She  then  shut  the  door,  wiped  the  tear 
from  her  eye,  and  waited  the  issue.  The  boy  joined  the  march. 
Such  a  woman  could  not  have  cowards  for  her  sons.  Instances 
of  refined  and  delicate  pride  and  affection  occurred,  at  that  period, 
every  clay,  in  different  places ;  and,  in  fact,  this  disposition  and 
feeling  was  then  so  common,  that  it  now  operates  as  one  great 
cause  of  our  not  having  more  facts  of  this  kind  recorded.  What 
few  there  are  remembered,  should  not  be  lost.  Nothing  great  or 
glorious  was  ever  achieved,  which  women  did  not  act  in,  advise, 
or  consent  to." 

"  AT  the  massacre  of  Wyoming,  a  tory  found  a  brother  se 
creted,  and  on  recognizing  him,  said,  "  so  it  is  you,  is  it  ?"  The  un 
armed  man  approached  his  brother,  fell  upon  his  knees  and 
besought  him  to  spare  his  life ;  promising,  if  he  would,  to  live 
with  him  and  become  his  servant.  "  All  this  is  mighty  fine,"  re 
plied  the  human  fiend,  "  but  you  are  a  d d  rebel !"  at  the 


394  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES, 

same  moment  he  raised  his  gun,  heedless  of  the  frantic  prayers  of 
his  brother,  and  discharged  its  contents  into  his  victim's  body." 

"  DURING  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  Baron  Steuben,  giving  a 
breakfast  to  several  of  the  field  officers  of  the  army,  in  the  course 
of  the  entertainment,  while  festivity  was  at  its  height,  and  in  an 
ticipation  of  the  honors  which  awaited  them,  mirth  and  good  hu 
mor  abounded,  a  shell  from  the  enemy  fell  into  the  centre  of  the 
circle  formed  by  his  guests.  There  was  no  time  for  retreat;  to 
fall  prostrate  on  the  earth  afforded  the  only  chance  of  escape ; 
every  individual  stretched  himself  at  his  length  ;  the  shell  burst 
with  tremendous  explosion,  covering  the  whole  party  with  mud 
and  dirt,  which  rather  proved  a  source  of  merriment,  than  serious 
concern,  since  none  of  the  party  sustained  any  further  incon- 


"  ABOUT  the  period  of  the  final  departure  of  the  British  from 
New  York,  an  excellent  repartee,  made  by  Major  Upham,  aid-de 
camp  to  Lord  Dorchester,  to  Miss  Susan  Livingston,  has  been 
much  celebrated.  "In  mercy,  Major,"  said  Miss  Livingston, 
"  use  your  influence  with  the  commander-in-chief,  to  accelerate 
the  evacuation  of  the  city ;  for  among  your  incarcerated  belles, 
your  Mischianza  Princesses,  the  scarlet  fever  must  continue  to 
rage  till  your  departure."  "I  should  studiously  second  your 
wishes,"  replied  the  Major,  "  were  I  not  apprehensive,  that  freed 
from  the  prevailing  malady,  a  worse  would  follow,  arid  that  they 
would  be  immediately  tormented  with  the  Blue  Devils" 

"  THE  wife  of  Colonel  William  Fitzhugh,  of  Maryland,  while  he 
was  absent  at  one  time,  during  the  Revolution,  was  surprised  by 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  395 

the  news  that  a  party  of  British  soldiers  was  approaching  her 
house.  She  instantly  collected  her  slaves  ;  furnished  them  with 
such  weapons  of  defence  as  were  at  hand ;  took  a  quantity  of 
cartridges  in  her  apron,  and,  herself  forming  the  van,  urged  her 
sable  subalterns  on  to  meet  the  foe.  Not  looking  for  resistance, 
the  advancing  party,  on  beholding  the  amazon  with  her  sooty  in- 
vincibles,  hastily  turned  on  their  heels  and  fled." 

"  On  a  subsequent  occasion,  a  detachment  of  soldiers  marched 
at  midnight  to  Colonel  Fitzhugh's  house,  which  was  half  a  mile 
from  the  shore,  and  near  the  mouth  of  the  Patuxent  river,  and 
knocked  at  the  door.  The  Colonel  demanding  who  was  there, 
and  receiving  for  reply  that  the  visitants  were  "  friends  to  King 
George,"  told  the  unwelcome  intruders  that  he  was  blind  and  un 
able  to  wait  upon  them,  but  that  his  wife  would  admit  them 
forthwith.  Lighting  a  candle  and  merely  putting  on  her  slippers, 
she  descended,  awoke  her  sons,  put  pistols  in  their  hands,  and 
pointing  to  the  back  door,  told  them  to  flee.  She  then  let  the 
soldiers  in  at  the  front  door.  They  inquired  for  Colonel  Fitzhugh, 
and  said  he  must  come  down  stairs  at  once,  and  go  as  a  prisoner 
to  New  York.  She  accordingly  dressed  her  husband — forgetting 
meanwhile,  to  do  as  much  for  herself — and  when  he  had  de 
scended,  he  assured  the  soldiers  that  his  blindness,  and  the  infirmi 
ties  of  age  unfitted  him  to  take  care  of  himself,  and  that  it  could 
hardly  be  desirable  for  them  to  take  in  charge  so  decrepit  and 
inoffensive  a  person.  They  thought  otherwise ;  and  his  wife, 
seeing  he  must  go,  took  his  arm  and  said  she  would  go  too.  The 
officer  told  her  she  would  be  exposed  and  must  suffer,  but  she 
persisted  in  accompanying  him,  saying  that  he  could  not  take 
care  of  himself,  nor,  if  he  could,  would  she  permit  a  separation." 

"  It  was  a  cold  and  rainy  night,  and  with  the  mere  protection 


396  MISCELLANEOUS     ANECDOTEi. 

of  a  cloak,  which  the  officer  took  down  and  threw  over  her 
shoulders  before  leaving  the  house,  she  sallied  forth  with  the 
party.  While  on  the  way  to  their  boat,  the  report  of  a  gun  was 
heard,  which  the  soldiers  supposed  was  the  signal  of  a  rebel 
gathering.  They  hastened  to  the  boat,  where  a  parole  was  writ 
ten  out  with  trembling  hand,  and  placed  in  the  old  gentleman's 
possession.  Without  even  a  benediction,  he  was  left  on  shore 
with  his  faithful  and  fearless  companion,  who  thought  but  little 
of  her  wet  feet,  as  she  stood  and  saw  the  cowardly  detachment  of 
British  soldiers  push  off,  and  row  away  with  all  their  might  fox- 
safety." 

"  ON  the  occasion  of  an  anticipated  attack  on  the  Middle  Fort, 
Schoharie  Co.,  orders  were  given  that  the  women  and  children 
should  retire  into  a  long  cellar,  within  the  fort.  Upon  hearing 
of  this  order,  Mary  Haggidorn,  a  lass  of  goodly  proportions, 
stepped  up  to  the  commandant,  and  thus  addressed  him  :  "  Cap 
tain,  I  shall  not  go  into  that  cellar !  should  the  enemy  come,  I 
will  take  a  spear,  which  I  can  use  as  well  as  any  man,  and  help 
defend  the  fort."  Captain  Hager,  gratified  in  finding  a  soldier- 
where  he  least  expected  one,  and  in  admiration  of  her  dauntless 
spirit,  replied,  "  Then  take  a  spear,  Mary,  and  be  ready  at  the 
pickets  to  repel  an  attack."  She  armed  herself  with  this  weapon, 
took  her  post,  and  did  not  abandon  it  until  the  danger  was  past." 

"  IN  the  battle  of  Guilford,  in  the  South,  occurred  one  of  those 
sanguinary  personal  conflicts,  that  frequently  arose  from  the  bitter- 
hatred  existing  between  the  whigs  and  tories.  The  combatants 
were  Colonel  Stuart,  of  the  enemy,  and  Captain  John  Smith,  of 
the  continental  army,  Both  were  men  distinguished  by  nerve 


MISCELLANEOUS  ANECDOTES.  397 

and  muscle.  They  had  met  before,  and  a  personal  provocation 
had  resulted  in  the  mutual  declaration,  that  their  next  meeting 
should  end  in  blood.  The  present  contest  was  seized  upon  as  a 
fitting  occasion,  and  they  singled  out  each  other,  with  a  fierce  pas 
sion  for  revenge,  which  made  them  totally  regardless  of  the  hor 
rors  of  the  contest.  Their  weapons  were  at  once  crossed,  with  a 
desperate  fury,  which  promised  but  one  result.  A  moment  de 
cided  the  conflict.  The  adroit  pass  of  Stuart's  small-sword,  was 
admirably  parried  by  the  left  hand  of  the  American,  while  with 
his  right,  he  drove  the  edge  of  the  heavy  sabre  through  the  head 
of  his  enemy,  cleaving  him  to  the  very  spine.  The  next  moment, 
he  himself  was  brought  to  the  ground,  stunned,  not  slain,  by  the 
graze  of  a  pistol-shot,  sent  by  a  devoted  follower  of  the  fallen 
Briton,  who  was  stricken  to  the  heart,  almost  in  the  same  mo 
ment,  by  tho  bayonet  of  an  American,  who  was  equally  watchful 
of  the  safety  of  his  superior." 

"  Ax  unfortunate  whig,  flying  before  a  party  of  the  enemy, 
intent  upon  his  destruction,  rushed  into  the  dwelling  house  of 
Mr.  Trapier,  and  entering  the  apartment  of  Miss  Newman,  an  in 
mate  of  the  family,  exclaimed — '  Protect  me,  Madam,  or  I  am 
lost.'  '  Quickly  conceal  yourself,'  replied  the  lady,  *  be  silent, 
and  rest  assured,  that  I  will  do  all  that  I  can  to  save  you.'  She 
had  scarcely  time  to  compose  herself,  before  admission  was  de 
manded  from  without,  and  an  officer  presenting  himself,  insisted 
that  the  place  of  concealment  to  which  the  fugitive  had  retired, 
should  be  immediately  pointed  out.  '  It  is  little  probable,'  said 
Miss  Newman,  '  that  a  soldier,  to  whom  I  am  probably  alto 
gether  unknown,  would,  even  under  the  terrors  of  death,  seek 
security  by  intruding  himself  into  my  chamber;  but,  as  I  am 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

confident  tnat  no  credit  will  be  given  to  my  assertions,  and  that 
the  power  of  search  rests  with  you,  its  indulgence  must  neces 
sarily  follow ;  yet,  I  trust,  from  your  character  as  a  soldier,  and 
appearance  as  a  gentleman,  with  the  delicacy  due  to  a  lady's 
feelings.'  The  composure  so  happily  assumed,  calmed  the  vio 
lence  of  the  party,  and  the  officer,  believing  that  it  could  alone 
be  exhibited  from  an  entire  ignorance  of  the  hiding  place  of  the 
object  of  his  pursuit,  bowed  and  retired." 

;'  IN  one  of  the  revolutionary  battles,  Colonel  Jessup,  suspecting 
that  his  troops  had  expended  nearly  all  their  cartridges,  passed 
along  the  rear  of  the  line,  to  make  inquiry  as  to  the  fact.  Sev 
eral  soldiers  who  lay  mortally  \younded,  some  of  them  actually  in 
the  agonies  of  death,  hearing  the  inquiry,  forgot  for  a  moment, 
in  their  devotion  to  their  country,  both  the  pain  they  endured 
and  the  approach  of  death,  and  called  out,  each  one  for  himself, 
4  Here  are  cartridges  in  my  box,  take  and  distribute  tl*em  among 
my  companions." 

"  A  soldier  in  the  line  exclaimed  to  his  commander,  '  My  mus 
ket  is  shot  to  pieces.'  His  comrade,  who  lay  expiring  with  his 
wounds  at  the  distance  of  a  few  feet,  replied,  in  a  voice  scarcely 
audible,  'My  musket  is  in  excellent  order — take  and. use  her." 

"  It  is  no  extravagance  to  assert,  that  an  army  of  such  men, 
commanded  by  officers  of  corresponding  merit,  is  literally  invin 
cible." 

AN  officer  calling  out  to  General  Huger,  "  General,  I  plainly 
see  one  of  the  enemy's  riflemen  taking  deliberate  aim  to  destroy 
you."  "  That  is  no  concern  of  mine,"  said  the  General.  "  If 
you  think  proper,  order  one  of  your  men  to  take  the  fellow  off." 


MISCELLANEOUS  ANECDOTES.  399 

"  Dodge,  or  change  your  position,"  rejoined  the  officer,  "  or  you 
are  a  dead  man."  "  I  will  neither  dodge  nor  quit  my  post,"  re 
plied  the  General,  "  be  the  consequence  what  it  may." 

"  THE  Baron  Steuben  after  the  defeat  of  Gates  in  Carolina, 
was  engaged  in  raising  a  regiment  in  Virginia ;  men  sufficient 
to  form  a  regiment  had  with  difficulty  been  collected  ;  the  corps 
was  paraded,  and  on  the  point  of  marching  to  Carolina.  A  good 
looking  man  on  horseback,  with  his  servant  as  it  appeared,  also 
well  mounted,  rode  up,  and  introducing  himself  to  the  baron, 
informed  him  he  had  brought  a  recruit.  *  I  thank  yon,  sir,'  said 
the  baron,  '  with  all  my  heart,  he  has  arrived  in  a  happy  moment. 
Where  is  he,  colonel  ?'  for  the  man  was  a  colonel  in  the  militia. 
*  Here,  sir,'  ordering  his  boy  to  dismount.  The  baron's  counte 
nance  altered  ;  a  sergeant  was  ordered  to  measure  the  lad,  whose 
shoes  when  off,  discovered  something  by  which  his  height  had 
been  increased.  The  baron  patted  the  child's  head,  with  a  hand 
trembling  with  rage,  and  asked  him  how  old  he  was  I  He  was 
very  young,  quite  a  child ;  *  Sir,'  said  the  baron,  turning  to  him 
who  brought  him,  '  you  think  me  a  rascal !'  '  Oh,  no  baron,  I 
don't.'  '  Then,  sir,  I  think  you  are  one,  an  infamous  scoundrel, 
thus  to  attempt  to  cheat  your  country  !  Take  off  this  fellow's 
spurs,  place  him  in  the  ranks,  and  tell  General  Greene  from  me, 
Colonel  Gaskins,  that  I  have  sent  him  a  man  able  to  serve,  in 
stead  of  an  infant,  whom  he  would  have  basely  made  his  substi 
tute.  Go,  my  boy,  carry  the  colonel's  horses  and  spurs  to  his 
wife ;  make  my  respects  to  her,  and  tell  her  that  her  husband 
has  gone  to  fight,  as  an  honest  citizen  should,  for  the  liberty 
of  his  country.  By  platoons !  to  the  right  wheel !  forward 
march !' " 


400  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

"  IN  the  battle  of  Princeton,  Capt.  M'Pherson,  of  the  17th 
British  regiment,  a  very  worthy  Scotchman,  was  desperately 
wounded  in  the  lungs  and  left  with  the  dead.  Upon  General 
Putnam's  arrival  there,  he  found  him  languishing  in  extreme  dis 
tress,  without  a  surgeon,  without  a  single  accommodation,  and 
without  a  friend  to  solace  the  sinking  spirit  in  the  gloomy  hour 
of  death,  lie  visited  and  immediately  caused  every  possible 
comfort  to  be  administered  to  him.  Capt.  M'Pherson,  who  con 
trary  to  all  appearances  recovered,  after  having  demonstrated  to 
Gen.  Putnam  the  dignified  sense  of  obligations  which  a  generous 
mind  wishes  not  to  conceal,  one  day  in  familiar  conversation,  de 
manded — 'Pray,  sir,  what  countryman  are  you?'  'An  American,' 
answered  the  latter.  '  Not  a  Yankee  !'  said  the  other.  '  A  full- 
blooded  one,'  replied  the  general.  'Indeed,  I  am  sorry  for 
that,'  rejoined  M'Pherson,  *  I  did  not  think  there  could  be  so 
much  goodness  and  generosity  in  an  American,  or,  indeed,  in 
anybody  but  a  Scotchman.'  " 

Lv  the  terrible  massacre  of  Wyoming  the  most  unheard  of 
barbarities  were  practiced,  and,  what  history  scarcely  affords  a 
parallel  of,  the  acts  that  exceeded  all  others  in  fiendishuess  were 
those  committed  by  men  upon  their  own  kindred.  One  man 
named  Partial  Terry  had  sent  repeated  messages  to  his  father, 
saying  that  "  he  hoped  one  day  to  wash  his  hands  in  the  old 
man's  heart's  blood,"  and  his  wishes  were  but  too  well  answered, 
for  on  this  occasion,  after  having  murdered  and  scalped  his  oivn 
mother,  brothers,  and  sisters,  he  cut  off  his  father's  head! 
Another  man,  named  Thomas  Hill,  killed  his  mother,  his 
father  in-law,  and  his  sisters.  It  is  difficult  for  us  to  realise  that 
these  atrocities  could  have  been  performed,  and  were  they  not 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  401 

accredited  by  unimpeachable  testimony,  would  be  considered  as 
monstrous  fictions. 

"  GENERAL  NASH,  in  the  battle  of  Germantown,  October  4th, 
1777,  was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh,  the  bone  of  which  was 
shattered  by  a  grape-shot.  While  they  were  carrying  him  off 
the  field,  a  friend  coming  up,  began  to  condole  with  him  on  his 
situation,  and  asked  him  how  he  felt ; — '  It  is  unmanly,'  said  the 
dying  hero,  '  to  complain ;  but  it  is  more  than  human  nature  can 
bear.' " 

"!N  the  commencement  of  the  American  revolution,  when 
one  of  the  British  king's  thundering  proclamations  made  its  ap 
pearance,  the  subject  was  mentioned  in  a  company  in  Philadel 
phia  ;  a  member  of  Congress  who  was  present,  turning  to  Miss 
Livingston,  said,  '  Well,  Miss,  are  you  greatly  terrified  at  the 
roaring  of  the  British  lion  F  *  Not  at  all,  sir,  for  I  have  learned 
from  natural  history,  that  that  beast  roars  loudest  ivhen  he  is  most 
frightened:  " 

IN  August,  1775,  Gen.  Gage  sent  two  armed  schooners  from 
Boston  to  Machias,  with  cash,  to  buy  live  stock,  and  gave  or 
ders  to  take  the  stock  by  force,  if  the  inhabitants  would  not  sell 
it.  They  did  refuse, — the  crews  of  the  schooners  then  attempted 
to  take  off  the  stock  by  force,  upon  which  the  inhabitants  rose, 
made  all  the  men  prisoners,  seized  on  the  schooners  and  cash, 
and  shared  about  5l.  sterling  a  man. 

WHEN  Marion's  brigade  was  once  engaged  in  battle,  captain 
Gee  was  supposed  to  be  mortally  wounded.  A  ball  passed 


402  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

through  the  cock  of  his  hat,  very  much  tearing,  not  only  the 
crown,  but  also  his  head.  He  lay,  for  many  hours,  insensible  ; 
but,  suddenly  reviving,  his  first  inquiry  was  after  his  hat :  which 
being  brought  to  him,  a  friend  at  the  same  time  lamenting  the 
mangled  state  of  his  head,  he  exclaimed :  '  Oh,  I  care  nothing 
about  my  head :  time  and  the  doctors  will  mend  that ;  but  it 
grieves  me  to  think  that  the  rascals  have  ruiried  my  new  hat 
forever.' " 

AN  affair  in  which  Major  Postell  was  concerned,  may  serve  to 
show  the  spirit  of  the  times,  and,  especially,  the  indifference  for 
property  which  then  prevailed.  A  captain  of  the  royal  army, 
with  twenty-five  grenadiers,  having  taken  post  in  the  house  of 
Postell's  father,  the  major  placed  his  small  army  of  twenty-one 
militia,  so  as  to  command  its  doors,  and  then  called  on  them  to 
surrender.  This  being  refused,  he  set  fire  to  an  out-house  ;  was 
proceeding  to  burn  the  dwelling  in  which  they  were  posted  ;  and 
nothing  but  their  immediate  submission  restrained  him  from 
sacrificing  his  father's  valuable  establishment  for  the  interest  of 
his  country. 

"!T  happened  in  1770,  that  the  garden  of  a  widow,  which  lay 
between  the  American  and  British  camps  in  the  neighborhood  of 
New  York,  was  frequently  robbed  at  night.  Her  son,  a  mere 
boy,  and  small  for  his  age,  having  obtained  his  mother's  permis 
sion  to  find  out  and  secure  the  thief,  in  case  he  should  return, 
concealed  himself  with  a  gun  among  the  weeds.  A  strapping 
Highlander,  belonging  to  the  British  grenadiers  came,  and  having 
filled  a  large  bag,  threw  it  over  his  shoulder ;  the  boy  then  left 
his  covert,  went  softly  behind  him,  cocked  his  gun,  and  called 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  403 

out  to  the  fellow,  *  You  are  my  prisoner  :  if  you  attempt  to  put 
your  bag  down,  I  will  shoot  you  dead  ;  go  forward  in  that  road.* 
The  boy  kept  close  behind  him,  threatened,  and  was  constantly 
prepared  to  execute  his  threats.  Thus  the  boy  drove  him  into 
the  American  camp,  when  he  was  secured.  When  the  grenadier 
was  at  liberty  to  throw  down  his  bag,  and  saw  who  had  made  him 
prisoner,  he  was  extremely  mortified,  and  exclaimed,  '  a  British 
grenadier  made  prisoner  by  such  a  brat !'  The  American  officers 
were  highly  entertained  with  the  adventure,  made  a  collection 
for  the  boy,  and  gave  him  several  pounds.  He  returned,  fully 
satisfied  for  the  losses  his  mother  sustained.  The  soldier  had  side 
arms,  but  they  were  of  no  use,  as  he  could  not  get  rid  of  his 
bag." 

"LADY  HARRIET  ACKLAND  accompanied  her  husband  to  Canada 
in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1776.  In  the  course  of  that  cam 
paign,  she  traversed  a  vast  space  of  country,  in  different  extremi 
ties  of  the  seasons,  and  with  difficulties  that  an  European  travel 
ler  will  not  easily  conceive,  in  order  to  attend  her  husband  in  a 
poor  hut  at  the  Chamblee,  upon  his  sick-bed.  In  the  opening 
of  the  campaign  of  1777,  she  was  restrained  from  offering  her 
self  to  a  share  of  the  hazard  expected  before  Ticonderoga,  by  the 
positive  injunction  of  her  husband.  The  day  after  the  conquest 
of  that  place  he  was  badly  wounded,  and  she  crossed  Lake 
Champlain  to  join  him." 

"  As  soon  as  he  recovered,  Lady  Harriet  proceeded  to  follow 
his  fortunes  through  the  campaign.  Major  Ackland,  her  hus 
band,  commanded  the  British  grenadiers,  who  formed  the  most 
advanced  post  of  the  army,  which  required  them  to  be  so  much 
on  the  alert,  that  frequently,  no  person  slept  out  of  their  clothes. 


404  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

In  one  of  these  situations  a  tent,  in  which  the  Major  and  Lady 
Harriet  slept,  suddenly  took  fire.  An  orderly  sergeant  of  grena 
diers,  with  great  hazard  of  suffocation,  dragged  out  the  first  per 
son  he  caught  hold  of;  it  proved  to  be  the  major.  Fortunately, 
his  lady  at  the  same  moment  escaped  under  the  canvass  of  the 
back  part  of  the  tent." 

"  This  accident  neither  altered  the  resolution  nor  the  cheerful 
ness  of  Lady  Harriet,  who  was  in  a  hut  during  the  whole  of  the 
action  which  followed,  and  close  to  the  field  of  battle.  In  a  sub 
sequent  engagement,  Major  Ackland  was  desperately  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner.  Lady  Harriet  sustained  the  shock  wit.li 
great  fortitude,  and  determined  to  pass  to  the  enemy's  camp,  and 
request  General  Gates'  permission  to  attend  her  husband." 

"  Having  obtained  permission  of  General  Burgoyne,  Lady 
Harriet,  accompanied  by  the  chaplain  of  the  regiment, one  female 
servant,  and  the  major's  valet-de-chambre,  rowed  down  the  river 
to  meet  the  enemy.  The  night  was  far  advanced  before  the  boat 
reached  the  enemy's  outpots,  and  the  sentinel  would  not  let  it 
pass,  nor  even  come  on  shore.  In  vain  was  the  flag  of  truce 
offered,  and  the  state  of  this  extraordinary  passenger  strongly 
represented.  The  guard,  apprehensive  of  treachery,  and'punc- 
tilious  in  obedience  to  his  orders,  threatened  to  fire  into  the  boat 
if  they  offered  to  stir  before  daylight.  Her  anxiety  and  sufferings 
were  thus  protracted  through  seven  or  eight  dark  and  cold 
hours ;  and  her  reflections  on  that  first  reception,  could  not  give 
her  very  encouraging  .ideas  of  the  treatment  she  was  afterwards 
to  expect.  But  in  the  morning,  as  soon  as  her  case  was  made 
known  to  General  Gates,  he  received  her  with  all  the  humanity 
and  respect  due  to  her  rank  and  exemplary  conjugal  virtue,  and 
immediately  restored  her  to  her  husband." 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  405 

"  WHES  a  British  fleet  menaced  a  part  of  the  American  coast 
during  the  revolution,  a  man  promulgated  that  he  had  discover 
ed  a  combustible  matter  which  could  be  easily  conveyed  uninjured 
to  the  ships,  and  then  taking  fire,  produce  a  dreadful  conflagra 
tion.  With  a  knowledge  of  the  inventions  of  Franklin  and 
others,  it  was  no  wonder  that  this  intimation,  which  was  soon 
purposely  conveyed  to  the  English  naval  commander,  should  in 
duce  him  to  act  with  caution. 

At  an  appointed  day,  a  number  of  barrels  were  set  on  float, 
which  made  their  way  towards  the  ships,  while  the  artist  was 
embarked  with  a  complicated  apparatus,  in  a  little  boat.  Shortly 
after,  one  of  the  barrels  exploding  with  considerable  blaze  and 
report,  the  fleet,  whose  cables  were  already  slipped,  departed  with 
precipitate  haste,  leaving  the  inventor,  whose  dangerous  scheme 
was  now  entirely  exhausted,  in  full  possession  of  the  coast  for 
many  miles." 

i;  GEN.  PUTNAM  is  known  to  have  been  decidedly  opposed  to 
duelling,  on  principle.  It  once  happened  that  he  grossly  affronted 
a  brother  officer.  The  dispute  arose  at  a  wine  table,  and  the  ofti- 
cer  demanded  instant  reparation.  Putnam,  being  a  little  eleva 
ted,  expressed  his  willingness  to  accommodate  the  gentleman  with 
a  fight ;  and  it  was  stipulated  that  the  duel  should  take  place  on 
the  following  morning,  and  that  they  should  fight  without  sec 
onds.  At  the  appointed  time,  the  general  went  on  to  the  ground, 
armed  with  sword  and  pistols.  On  entering  the  field,  Putnam, 
who  had  taken  a  stand  at  the  opposite  extremity,  and  at  a  dis 
tance  of  about  thirty  rods,  levelled  his  musket,  and  fired  at  him. 
The  gentleman  now  ran  towards  his  antagonist,  who  deliberately 
proceeded  to  reload  his  gun." 


406  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

"  *  What  are  you  about  to  do  ?'  exclaimed  he ; — *  is  this  the 
conduct  of  an  American  officer,  and  a  man  of  honor  ?' 

" '  What  are  you  about  to  do  ?'  exclaimed  the  general,  attend 
ing  only  to  the  first  question  ;  '  a  pretty  question  to  put  to  a  man 
whom  you  intended  to  murder.  I'm  about  to  kill  you  ;  and  if 
you  don't  beat  a  retreat  in  less  time  than  'twould  take  old  Heath 
to  hang  a  tory,  you  are  a  gone  dog  ;'  at  the  same  time  returning 
his  ramrod  to  its  place,  and  throwing  the  breech  of  his  gun  into 
the  hollow  of  his  shoulder. 

"  This  intimation  was  too  unequivocal  to  be  misunderstood  ; 
and  our  valorous  duellist  turned  and  fled  for  dear  life." 

WHEN  our  gallant  countryman,  Major  Pinckney,  received  the 
wound  at  Gates'  defeat,  which  placed  him  in  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  the  generous  feelings  of  an  old  school-fellow,  Captain 
Charles  Barrington  M'Kenzie,  of  the  *71st  British  regiment,  under 
the  blessing  of  Heaven,  preserved  his  valuable  life.  Applying  to 
Tarleton  for  his  interposition  in  behalf  of  his  suffering  friend,  he 
immediately  received  an  order  to  call  from  the  field  his  surgeon, 
whose  early  attention,  in  all  probability,  prevented  the  catastrophe 
which  befel  General  Porterfield  and  other  officers,  whose  wounds 
not  being  dressed  for  thirty-six  hours,  from  exhaustion  and  loss 
of  blood,  expired.  The  character  of  the  wounded  prisoner  had 
excited  a  deep  interest  in  his  bosom.  The  ferocity  of  his  temper 
was  laid  aside.  He  ordered,  that  every  attention  should  be  paid 
him  that  could  mitigate  the  severity  of  his  wound — supplied  him 
amply  with  port  wine,  considered  essential  to  prevent  the  spasms 
that  threatened  his  life— tendered  the  restoration  of  the  horses 
recently  impressed  from  his  family  at  Fort  Motte — and  urged 
with  the  generous  spirit  of  a  soldier,  the  free  and  unlimited  use 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  407 

of  his  purse.  I  could  pardon  him  a  thousand  errors  for  this  ema 
nation  of  generous  sympathy.  Such  attentions  were  received 
with  the  gratitude  they  were  well  calculated  to  excite.  The  sin- 
cerest  acknowledgments  were  expressed  for  all — though  neither 
the  horses  nor  purse  were  accepted.  This  gave  an  opportunity 
to  M'Kenzie  to  display  a  trait  of  chivalric  gallantry  that  cannot 
be  too  much  admired.  "  Give  me  his  charger,  then  ;"  he  feeling 
ly  exclaimed,  "  it  shall  never  be  said,  that  the  horse  that  carried 
Tom  Pinckney,  was  ever  employed  against  the  friends  and  the 
•-ause  that  were  dear  to  him." 

"  GENERAL  WASHINGTON  had  two  favorite  Jiorses ;  one,  a  large 
elegant  parade  horse  of  a  chestnut-color,  high-spirited,  and  of  a 
gallant  carriage  ;  this  horse  had  belonged  to  the  British  army  : 
{fee  other  was  smaller,  and  his  color  sorrel.  This  he  used  always 
to  ride  in  time  of  action ;  so  that  whenever  the  general  mounted 
him,  the  word  ran  through  the  ranks,  '  We  have  business  on 
hand.' 

"  AT  the  battle  of  Germantown,  General  Wayne  rode  his  gal 
lant  roan,  and  in  charging  the  enemy,  his  horse  received  a  wound 
in  his  head,  and  fell,  as  was  supposed,  dead.  Two  days  after,  the 
roan  returned  to  the  American  camp,  not  materially  injured,  and 
was  again  fit  for  service." 

"Ax  a  review  at  Morristown,  a  Lieutenant  Gibbons,  a  brave 
and  good  officer,  was  arrested  by  Baron  Steuben,  and  ordered  in 
the  rear,  for  a  fault  which  it  appeared  another  had  committed.  At 
a  propel  moment,  the  commander  of  the  regiment  came  forward, 


408  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTE*. 

and  informed  the  baron  of  Mr.  Gibbons'  innocence  and  worth, 
and  of  his  acute  feelings  under  this  unmerited  disgrace.  '  Desire 
Lieutenant  Gibbons,'  said  the  baron,  *  to  come  in  front  of  the 
troops.'  '  Sir,'  said  he  to  him,  *  the  fault  which  was  committed 
by  throwing  the  line  into  confusion,  might  in  the  presence  of  an 
enemy,  have  been  fatal ;  and  I  arrested  you.  Your  colonel  has 
informed  me,  that  you  are  in  this  instance  blameless.  I  ask 
your  pardon  ;  return  to  your  command,  I  would  riot  do  injustice 
to  any  one,  much  less  to  one  whose  character  is  so  respectable.' 
All  this  was  said  with  his  hat  off,  and  the  rain  pouring  on  his 
reverend  head !  Was  there  an  officer  who  saw  this,  unmoved 
with  feelings  of  respect  and  affection  ?  Not  one,  who  had  the 
feelings  of  a  soldier." 

"  WHEN  the  news  of  a  skirmish  at  Lexington  reached  Barn- 
stable,  a  company  of  militia  immediately  assembled  and  marched 
off  to  Cambridge.  In  the  front  rank,  there  was  a  young  man, 
the  son  of  a  respectable  farmer,  and  his  only  child.  In  marching 
from  the  village  as  they  passed  his  house,  he  came  out  to  meet 
them.  There  was  a  momentary  halt.  The  drum  and  fife  paused 
for  an  instant.  The  father  suppressing  a  strong  and  evident 
emotion,  said,  *  God  be  with  you  all,  my  friends !  and  John,  if 
you,  my  son,  are  called  into  battle,  take  care  that  you  behave 
manfully,  or  else  let  me  never  see  your  face  again.'  A  tear  start 
ed  into  every  eye,  and  the  march  was  resumed." 


IT  is  certainly  a  very  singular  circumstance,  that  Andre  should, 
in  a  very  satirical  poem,  have  foretold  his  own  fate.  It  was  called 
the  "  Cow  Chace"  and  was  published  by  Rivington,  at  New  York, 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  409 

in  consequence  of  the  failure  of  an  expedition  undertaken  by 
Wayne  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  cattle.  Great  liberties  are 
taken  with  the  American  officers  employed  on  the  occasion 

With 

"  Harry  Lee  and  his  Dragoons,  and  Proctor  w/th  his  Cannon." 

But  the  point  of  his  irony  seemed  particularly  aimed  at  Wayne, 
whose  entire  baggage,  he  asserts,  was  taken,  containing 

"  His  Congress  dollars,  and  his  prog, 

His  military  speeches : 
His  cornstalk  whiskey  for  his  grog, 
Black  stockings  and  blue  breeches." 

And  concludes  by  observing,  that  it  is  necessary  to  check  the 
current  of  satire, 

"  Lest  the  same  warrio-drover  Wayne, 
Should  catch— and  hang  the  Poet." 

He  was  actually  taken  by  a  party  from  the  division  of  the  army 
immediately  under  the  command  of  Wayne. 

THE  house  of  Captain  Charles  Sims,  who  resided  on  Tyger 
river,  South  Carolina,  was  often  plundered  by  tories  ;  and  on  one 
of  these  occasions,  when  his  wife  was  alone  and  all  the  robbers 
had  departed  but  one,  she  ordered  him  away,  and  he  disobeying) 
she  broke  his  arm  with  a  stick,  and  drove  him  from  the  house. 

WHILE  the  husband  of  Mrs.  Dissosway,  of  Staten  Island,  was  in 
the  hands  of  the  British,  her  brother  Nathaniel  Randolph,  a  cap 
tain  in  the  American  army,  repeatedly  and  greatly  annoyed  the 
toiies ;  and  they  were  anxious  to  be  freed  from  his  incursions. 
Accordingly,  one  of  their  colonels  promised  Mrs.  Dissosway  to 
procure  her  husband's  release,  if  she  would  prevail  upon  her 


410  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

brother  to  leave  the  army.  She  scornfully  replied  :  "  And  if  I 
could  act  so  dastardly  a  part,  think  you  that  General  Washington 
has  but  one  Captain  Randolph  in  his  army  ?" 

REV.  THOMAS  ALLEN  was  the  first  minister  of  Pittsfield.  When 
the  American  Revolution  commenced,  he,  like  the  great  body  of 
the  clergy,  ardently  espoused  the  cause  of  the  oppressed  colonies, 
and  bore  his  testimony  against  the  oppression  of  the  mother  coun 
try.  WThen,  in  anticipation  of  the  conflict  which  finally  took 
place  at  Bennington,  the  neighboring  country  was  roused  to  arms, 
he  used  his  influence  to  increase  the  band  of  patriots,  by  exciting 
his  townsmen  to  proceed  to  the  battle  ground.  A  company  was 
raised  in  his  parish  and  proceeded.  Some  causes,  however,  were 
found  to  retard  their  progress  on  the  way.  Hearing  of  the  delay, 
he  proceeded  immediately  to  join  them,  and  by  his  influence  quick 
ened  their  march,  and  soon  presented  them  to  Gen.  Stark.  Learn 
ing  from  him  that  he  meditated  an  attack  on  the  enemy,  he  said 
he  would  fight,  but  could  not  willingly  bear  arms  against  them 
until  he  had  invited  them  to  submit.  He  was  insensible  to  fear, 
and  accordingly  proceeded  so  near  as  to  make  himself  distinctly 
heard  in  their  camp,  where,  after  taking  a  stand  on  a  convenient 
eminence,  he  commenced  his  pious  exhortations,  urging  them  to 
lay  down  their  arms.  He  was  answered  by  a  volley  of  musketry, 
which  lodged  their  contents  in  the  log  on  which  he  stood.  Turn 
ing  calmly  to  a  friend,  who  had  followed  him  under  cover  of  th  3 
breast-work  which  formed  his  footstool,  he  said — "  Now  give  me 
a  gun  ;"  and  that  is  said  to  be  the  first  gun  which  spoke  on  that 
memorable  occasion.  He  continued  to  bear  his  part  till  the  bat 
tle  was  decided  in  favor  of  the  American  armies,  and  contributed 
honorably  to  that  result. 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES,  ,411 

THE  circumstances  of  the  murder  of  Miss  Jane  M'Crea  have 
I  een  variously  given,  but  the  following  version  is  supposed  to  bo 
correct :  "  Miss  M'Crea  belonged  to  a  family  of  royalists,  and  had 
engaged  her  hand  in  marriage  to  a  young  refugee,  named  David 
Jones,  a  subordinate  officer  in  the  British  service,  who  was  advan 
cing  with  Burgoyne.  Anxious  to  possess  himself  of  his  bride,  he 
despatched  a  small  party  of  Indians  to  bring  her  to  the  British 
camp.  Her  family  and  friends  were  strongly  opposed  to  her 
going  with  such  an  escort ;  but  her  affection  overcame  her  pru 
dence  and  she  determined  upon  the  hazardous  adventure.  She 
set  forward  with  her  dusky  attendants  on  horseback.  The  family 
resided  at  the  village  of  Fort  Edward,  whence  they  had  not  pro 
ceeded  half  a  mile  before  her  conductors  stopped  to  drink  at  a 
spring.  Meantime,  the  impatient  lover,  who  deserved  not  her 
embrace  for  confiding  her  protection  to  such  hands,  instead  of 
going  himself,  had  despatched  a  second  party  of  Indians  upon 
the  same  errand.  The  Indians  met  at  the  spring ;  and  before 
the  march  was  resumed,  they  were  attacked  by  a  party  of  the 
Provincials.  At  the  close  of  the  skirmish,  the  body  of  Miss 
M'Crea  was  found  among  the  slain,  tomahawked,  scalped,  and 
tied  to  a  pine-tree,  yet  standing  by  the  side  of  the  spring,  as  a 
monument  of  the  bloody  transaction.  The  ascertained  cause  of 
the  murder  was  this :  The  promised  reward  for  bringing  her  in 
safety  to  her  betrothed  was  a  barrel  of  rum.  The  chiefs  of  the 
two  parties  sent  for  her  by  Mr.  Jones  quarreled  respecting  the 
anticipated  compensation.  Each  claimed  it ;  and,  in  a  moment 
of  passion,  to  end  the  controversy,  one  of  them  struck  her  down 
with  his  hatchet." 


412  MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES. 

Ay  act  similar  to  that  recorded  of  the  gunner's  wife  at  tho 
battle  of  Monmouth,  was  performed  by  Mrs.  Corbcu,  at  the  attack 
on  Fort  Washington.  Her  husband  belonged  to  the  artillery, 
and  in  the  early  part  of  the  conflict  was  shot  down.  Standing 
by  his  side  and  seeing  him  fall,  without  pausing  to  heed  her 
private  grief,  or  give  way  to  the  agony  of  her  heart,  she  hastened 
to  fill  his  place  and  perform  his  duties.  Although  severely  wound 
ed,  she  heroically  maintained  her  post  to  the  last.  Her  services 
were  rewarded  by  the  honorable  notice  of  Congress. 

AT  the  darkest  period  of  the  Revolution,  New  Jersey  was,  for  a 
short  time,  full  of  British  soldiers,  and  Lord  Cornwallis  was 
stationed  at  Bordentown.  He  visited  Mrs.  Borden  one  day,  at 
her  elegant  mansion,  and  made  an  effort  to  intimidate  her.  He 
told  her  that  if  she  would  persuade  her  husband  and  son,  who 
were  then  in  the  American  army,  to  join  his  forces,  none  of  her 
property  should  be  destroyed ;  but  if  she  refused  to  make  such 
exertions,  he  would  burn  her  house,  and  lay  waste  her  whole 
estate.  Unintimidated  and  patriotic,  she  made  the  following 
bold  reply,  which  caused  the  execution  of  the  threat :  "  The 
sight  of  my  house  in  flames  would  be  a  treat  to  me,  for  I  have 
seen  enough  to  know  that  you  never  injure  what  you  have  power 
to  keep  and  enjoy.  The  application  of  a  torch  to  my  dwelling  I 
should  regard  as  the  signal  for  your  departure."  And  such  it 
was. 

"AN  intrepid  action  of  Sergeant  Mitchell,  merits  particular 
notice.  There  were  no  ensigns  attached  to  the  command,  and 
when  it  was  ascertained  that  a  contest  must  ensue  with  Tarleton, 
the  adjutant  selected  Mitchell  to  bear  the  colors,  as  he  had 


MISCELLANEOUS    ANECDOTES.  413 

always  been  distinguished  for  correctness  of  conduct,  an'l  \\as 
connected  with  a  family  of  high  respectability.  Tn  the  pr-givss 
of  the  battle,  Tarleton  led  an  attack  on  the  centre  of  the  line 
where  Mitchell  was  posted  with  his  standard.  The  intrepid 
sergeant  was  cut  down,  and  the  stafY  of  his  colors  broken. 
Grasping  the  part  to  which  the  colors  were  attached,  he  retained 
it  firmly  in  his  hands,  while  dragged  to  a  distance  of  fifteen 
yards.  The  British  dragoons  now  gathered  round  him,  and 
would  immediately  have  mangled  him  to  death,  but  Captain 
Kinloch  dismounted  and  protected  him  from  their  rage,  declaring 
that  so  gallant  a  soldier,  though  an  enemy,  should  not  perish. 
Mitchell  survived  his  wounds,  though  severe,  removed,  at  the 
close  of  the  war  to  Georgia,  became,  from  his  acknowledged 
merits,  a  brigadier-general,  and  was,  but  a  few  years  back,  a  hale 
and  heartv  man." 


414  INCIDENTS    ON    THE    BORDER. 


INCIDENTS    ON  THE  BORDER. 


"  AT  one  time  during  the  war,  a  detachment  of  seventy  men, 
while  ascending  the  Ohio  river,  were  surprised  by  a  party  of  In 
dians,  and  nearly  exterminated.  Among  those  who  escaped  both 
death  and  captivity,  were  Captain  Robert  Benham  and  another 
man,  whose  cases,  together,  form  a  novel  and  romantic  adventure. 
Benham  was  shot  through  both  hips,  and  the  bones  being  shat 
tered,  he  instantly  fell.  Still,  aided  by  the  darkness,  he  succeed 
ed  in  crawling  among  the  thick  branches  of  a  fallen  tree,  where 
he  lay  without  molestation  through  the  night  and  during  the 
following  day,  while  the  Indians,  who  had  returned  for  that  pur 
pose,  were  stripping  the  slain.  He  continued  to  lie  close  in  the 
place  of  his  retreat  until  the  second  day,  when,  becoming  hungry, 
and  observing  a  raccoon  descending  a  tree,  he  managed  to  shoot 
it,  hoping  to  be  able  to  strike  a  fire  and  cook  the  animal.  The 
crack  of  the  rifle  was  followed  by  a  human  cry,  which  at  first 
startled  the  captain;  but  the  cry  being  repeated  several  times, 
the  voice  of  a  Kentuckian  was  at  length  recognised  *  the  call  was 
returned,  and  the  parties  were  soon  united.  The  man  proved  to 


INCIDENTS   ON   THE    BORDER.  415 

oe  one  of  his  comrades,  who  had  lost  the  use  of  both  his  arms  in 
the  battle.  Never  did  mercy  find  more  welcome  company.  One 
of  the  party  could  use  his  feet,  and  the  other  his  hands.  Ben- 
ham,  by  tearing  up  his  own  and  his  companion's  shirts,  dressed 
the  wounds  of  both.  He  coujd  load  his  rifle  and  fire  with  readi 
ness,  and  was  thus  enabled  to  kill  such  game  as  approached, 
while  his  companion  could  roll  the  game  along  the  ground  with 
his  feet,  and  in  the  same  manner  collect  wood  enough  to  cook 
their  meals.  When  thirsty,  Benham  could  place  his  hat  in  the 
teeth  of  his  companion,  who  went  to  the  Licking,  and  wading  in 
until  he  could  stoop  down  and  fill  it,  returned  with  a  hatful  of 
water.  When  the  stock  of  squirrels  and  other  game  in  their 
immediate  neighborhood  was  exhausted,  the  man  of  legs  would 
roam  away,  and  drive  up  a  flock  of  wild  turkeys,  then  abundant 
in  those  parts,  until  they  came  within  range  of  Benham's  rifle. 
Here  they  lived  for  six  weeks,  when  they  discovered  a  boat  upon 
the  Ohio,  which  took  them  off.  Both  recovered  thoroughly  from 
their  wounds." 

GENERAL  BENJAMIN  LOGAN,  a  Virginian  by  birth,  resided  du 
ring  the  war  in  a  small  settlement  called  Logan's  Fort,  in  Ken 
tucky.  Here,  on  one  occasion,  he  distinguished  himself  by  an 
act  of  courage  and  generosity  unexcelled  in  the  history  of  roman 
tic  and  chivalrous  daring. 

"  In  the  month  of  May,  1777,  as  the  women  of  his  family  were 
engaged  in  milking  the  cows  at  the  gate  of  the  little  fort,  and 
some  of  the  garrison  attending  them,  a  party  of  Indians  appeared 
and  fired  upon  them.  One  man  was  shot  dead,  and  two  more 
wounded,  one  of  them  mortally.  The  whole  party,  including  one 
of  the  wounded  men,  instantly  ran  into  the  fort,  and  closed  the 


416  INCIDENTS    ON    THE    BORDER. 

gate.  The  enemy  quickly  showed  themselves  upon  the  edge  of 
a  canebreak,  within  close  rifle-shot  of  the  gate,  and  seemed  nu 
merous  and  determined.  Having  a  moment's  leisure  to  look 
around,  Logan  beheld  a  spectacle,  which  awakened  his  most 
lively  interest  and  compassion. 

"  A  man  named  Harrison  had  been  severely  wounded,  and  still 
lay  near  the  spot  where  he  had  fallen,  within  view  both  of  the 
garrison  and  the  Indians.  The  poor  fellow  was,  at  intervals,  en 
deavoring  to  crawl  in  the  direction  of  the  fort,  and  had  succeeded 
in  reaching  a  cluster  of  bushes,  which,  however,  were  too  thin  to 
shelter  his  person  from  the  enemy.  His  wife  and  family  were 
in  the  fort,  and  in  deep  distress  at  his  situation.  The  Indians 
undoubtedly  forbore  to  fire  upon  him,  from  the  supposition  that 
some  of  the  garrison  would  attempt  to  save  him,  in  which  case, 
they  held  themselves  in  readiness  to  fire  upon  them  from  the 
canebrake.  The  case  was  a  trying  one.  It  seemed  impossible 
to  save  him  without  sacrificing  the  lives  of  several  of  the  garri 
son  ;  and  their  numbers  were  already  far  too  few  for  an  effectual 
defence,  having  originally  amounted  only  to  fifteen  men,  of 
whom  three  had  already  been  put  hors  de  combat. 

"  Yet  the  spectacle  was  so  moving,  and  the  lamentations  of 
the  wounded  man's  family  so  distressing,  that  it  was  difficult  to 
resist  making  an  effort  to  rescue  him.  Logan  tried  to  persuade 
some  of  his  men  to  accompany  him  in  a  sally,  but  so  evident  and 
appalling  was  the  danger,  that  all  at  first  refused ;  one  herculean 
fellow  observing  that  he  was  a  '  weakly  man,'  and  another  de 
claring  that  he  was  sorry  for  Harrison,  but  that  *  the  skin  was 
closer  than  the  shirt.'  At  length,  John  Martin  collected  his 
courage,  and  declared  his  willingness  to  accompany  Logan,  saying, 
that  *  he  could  only  die  once,  and  that  he  was  as  ready  now  as 


INCIDENTS   ON   THE    BORDER,  417 

he  ever  could  be.'  The  two  men  opened  the  gate,  and  started 
upon  their  expedition,  Logan  leading  the  way. 

"  They  had  not  advanced  five  steps,  when  Harrison  perceiving 
them,  made  a  vigorous  effort  to  rise,  upon  which  Martin,  suppo 
sing  him  able  to  help  himself,  immediately  sprang  back  within 
the  gate. 

"  Harrison's  strength  almost  instantly  failed,  and  he  fell  at  full 
length  upon  the  grass.  Logan  paused  a  moment  after  the  de 
sertion  of  Martin,  then  suddenly  sprang  forward  to  the  spot  where 
Harrison  lay,  rushing  through  a  tremendous  shower  of  rifle-balls 
which  was  poured  upon  him  from  every  quarter  around  the  fort, 
capable  of  covering  an  Indian.  Seizing  the  wounded  man  in  his 
arms,  he  ran  with  him  to  the  fort,  through  another  heavy  fire, 
and  entered  it  unhurt,  although  the  gate  and  picketing  near  him 
were  riddled  with  balls,  and  his  hat  and  clothes  pierced  in  several 
places." 

"  IN  the  year  1782,  the  war-chief  of  the  Wyandot  tribe  of  In 
dians  of  lower  Sandusky  sent  a  young  white  man,  whom  he  had 
taken  prisoner,  as  a  present  to  another  chief,  who  was  called  the 
Half-king  of  Upper  Sandusky,  for  the  purpose  of  being  adopted 
into  his  family,  in  the  place  of  one  of  his  sons,  who  had  been 
killed  the  preceding  year.  The  prisoner  arrived,  and  was  pre 
sented  to  the  Half-king's  wife,  but  she  refused  to  receive  him ; 
w7hich,  according  to  the  Indian  rule,  was  in  fact  a  sentence  of 
death.  The  young  man  was  therefore  taken  away,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  being  tortured  and  burnt  on  the  pile.  While  the  dread 
ful  preparations  were  making,  and  the  unhappy  victim  was  al 
ready  tied  to  the  stake,  two  English  traders,  Messrs.  Arundel  and 
Robbins,  moved  by  feelings  of  pitv  and  humanity,  resolved  to 


418  INCIDENTS    ON    THE    BORDER. 

unite  their  exertions  to  endeavor  to  save  the  prisoner's  life,  by 
offering  a  ransom  to  the  war-chief;  which,  however,  he  refused, 
saying  it  was  an  established  rule  among  them  to  sacrifice  a  pris 
oner  when  refused  adoption,  and  besides,  the  numerous  war  cap 
tains  were  on  the  spot  to  see  the  sentence  carried  into  execution. 
The  two  generous  Englishmen  were  however  not  discouraged, 
and  determined  to  try  another  effort.  They  appealed  to  the  well- 
known  high-minded  pride  of  an  Indian. — '  But,'  said  they, 
'  among  all  these  chiefs  whom  you  have  mentioned,  there  is  none 
who  equals  you  in  greatness ;  you  are  considered  not  only  as  the 
greatest  and  bravest,  but  as  the  best  man  in  the  nation.'  '  Do 
you  really  believe  what  you  say  ?'  said  the  Indian,  looking  them 
full  in  the  face.  *  Indeed  we  do.'  Then,  without  speaking 
another  word,  he  blackened  himself,  and  taking  his  knife,  and 
tomahawk  in  his  hand,  made  his  way  through  the  crowd  to  the 
unhappy  victim,  crying  out  with  a  loud  voice,  '  What  have  you 
to  do  with  my  prisoner  ?'  and  at  once  cutting  the  cords  with 
which  he  was  tied,  took  him  to  his  house,  which  was  near  that 
of  Mr.  Arundel,  whence  he  was  conveyed  in  safety." 

"  A  soldier  in  Western  N.  Y.,  one  day  was  out  on  a  scouting 
party.  Being  a  man  of  courage,  enterprize,  and  sagacity,  he  was 
determined,  if  possible,  to  obtain  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the 
position  of  the  enemy.  For  this  purpose  he  ventured  to  separate 
from  his  companions.  In  the  course  of  his  reconnoitering  alone, 
in  the  open  field,  he  approached  a  wood,  the  under  brush  of 
which  was  very  thick.  His  watchful  eye  discovered  what  he 
supposed  to  be  some  animal  among  the  bushes.  He  immediately 
saw  his  mistake — it  was  an  Indian  crawling  on  his  hands  and 
feet,  with  his  rifle  in  his  hand,  and  watching  the  soldier,  evidently 


INCIDENTS    ON    THE    BORDER.  419 

with  the  intention  of  advancing  sufficiently  near  to  make  him  a 
sure  mark.  For  the  soldier  to  retreat  wa«s  now  impossible  ;  he 
thought  he  could  not  escape,  and  he  remembered  too,  that  his 
father  had  told  him  never  to  return  with  a  backside  wound.  He 
pretended  not  to  see  the  Indian,  and  walked  slowly  towards  him, 
with  his  gun  cocked  by  his  side,  carefully  observing  all  his 
movements.  They  approached  nearer  and  nearer ;  at  length  he 
saw  the  Indian  bringing  the  gun  to  his  shoulder — at  that  instant 
the  soldier  fell  to  the  ground — the  ball  whistled  its  deadly  music 
over  his  head.  The  soldier  lay  motionless.  The  Indian  uttered 
the  dreadful  yell  which  signifies  the  death  of  an  enemy,  and 
drawing  the  bloody  scalping-knife,  (but  forgetting  to  reload  his 
piece),  advanced  with  hasty  strides,  thirsting  for  murder,  and 
anticipating  the  reward  for  the  scalp.  The  soldier,  motionless, 
permitted  him  to  approach  within  ten  paces,  he  then  with  the  irc- 
most  composure  sprung  upon  his  feet.  The  savage  stood  aghast ! 
The  soldier  with  deliberate  aim,  put  two  balls  directly  through 
his  heart.  A  hoarse  groan  was  the  only  sound  that  issued  from 
the  fallen  savage.  This  son  of  the  forest  was  at  least  six  feet 
five  inches  in  height." 

"  WHEN  the  war  of  extermination  between  the  Indians  and 
Kentuckians  was  at  its  height,  those  who  inhabited  the  back  parts 
of  the  state  of  Kentucky,  were  obliged  to  have  their  houses  built 
very  strong,  with  loop-holes  all  around ;  and  doors  always  fas 
tened,  so  as  to  repel  any  attack  from  the  Indians.  While  the 
owner  of  one  of  these  domestic  fortresses  was  with  his  slaves,  at 
work  on  the  plantation,  a  negro  who  was  posted  near  the  house, 
saw  approaching  a  party  of  Indians.  He  immediately  ran  to  the 
house,  and  the  foremost  Indian  after  him.  The  Indian  was  the 


420  INCIDENTS   ON   THE   BORDER. 

fleetest,  and  as  the  door  opened  to  admit  the  negro,  they  both 
jump?d  in  together.  The  other  Indians  being  some  distance  be 
hind,  the  door  was  instantly  closed  by  the  planter's  wife  within, 
when  the  Indian  and  negro  grappled.  Long  and  hard  was  the 
struggle,  for  as  in  the  case  of  Fitz  James  arid  Roderick  Dhu,  the 
one  was  the  strongest  and  the  other  more  expert,  but  strength 
this  time  was  the  victor,  for  they  fell,  the  Indian  below  ;  when 
the  negro,  placing  his  knees  on  his  breast,  and  holding  his  hands, 
kept  him  in  that  position,  until  the  woman,  seizing  a  broad  axe, 
and  taking  the  Indian  by  his  long  hair,  at  one  blow  severed  his 
head  from  his  body.  The  negro,  then  seizing  the  guns,  fired 
them  at  the  other  Indians,  which  as  fast  as  discharged,  were 
loaded  again  by  the  planter's  wife,  until  the  party  from  the  field, 
hearing  the  firing,  arrived,  and  the  Indians  took  to  flight." 

"  CAPTAIN  HENRY  ECKLER,  was  out  with  a  friend  in  the  vicinity 
of  Fort  Herkimer,  and  unexpectedly  fell  in  with  Brant  and  a 
party  of  his  warriors.  The  chief,  who  was  well  acquainted  with 
Captain  Eckler,  addressed  him  by  name,  and  asked  him  if  he 

would  surrender  himself  his  prisoner.     "  Not  by  a  d d  sight, 

as  long  as  I  have  legs  to  run  !"  and  suiting  the  action  to  the 
word,  he  turned  and  fled  at  the  top  of  his  speed,  and  his  com 
panion  with  him.  The  surprise  took  place  near  a  piece  of  woods, 
into  which  the  fugitives  ran,  pursued  by  a  band  of  yelling  sav 
ages.  Eckler  had  proceeded  but  a  little  distance  in  the  woods, 
when  he  found  it  would  be  impossible  for  him  to  run  far  with  the 
speed  requisite  for  his  escape  by  flight ;  and  passing  over  a  knoll 
which  hid  him  from  the  observation  of  his  pursuers,  he  entered 
head  first,  a  cavity  at  the  root  of  a  wind-fallen  tree.  He  found 
its  depth  insufficient,  however,  to  conceal  his  whole  person,  and 


INCIDENTS    OX    TUP.  IIORDER.  421 

like  :i  voiing  ostrich  or  partridge,  that,  \vitli  its  head  concealed, 
fcvls  Hvim%  if  it  remains  still,  lie  resolved  to  keep  silence  and 
trust  to  iVnviileiice  for  the  issue.  Tlie  party  pursuing*  him,  soon 
arrived  upon  the  knoll,  and  halted  almost  over  him,  to  catch 
another  glimpse  of  his  retiring  form.  But  they  looked  in  vain  ; 
and  while  they  stood  there,  and  he  heard  their  conversation,  he 
expected  every  moment  would  be  his  last,  as  lie  was  sure  if  his 
foes  looked  down,  they  could  not  fail  to  see  at  least,  one  half  his 
person.  He  felt  that  if  they  did  but  listen,  they  could  hear  the 
heart  in  his  breast  beat  like  the  thumping  of  a  hammer.  Suppo 
sing-  Eckler  had  fled  in  an  opposite  direction,  liis  pursuers  over 
looked  his  place  of  concealment,  and  expressing  to  each  other 
their  surprise  at  his  sudden  exit,  and  declaring  that  a  spirit  had 
helped  him  escape,  they  withdrew,  when  he  backed  out  of  his 
hiding  place,  and  regained  his  home  in  safety." 

"  IN  the  massacre  of  Cherry  Valley,  a  Miss  Jane  Wells,  a  young 
lady  of  superior  character  and  exalted  piety,  having  escaped  by 
the  door,  sought  safety  in  the  wood-pile ;  but  an  Indian  discov 
ered  her,  and,  after  deliberately  wiping  his  scalping-knife  on  his 
legging,  sheathed  it,  and  seized  her  by  the  arm,  at  the  same  time, 
brandishing  his  tomahawk.  The  captive  remonstrated  with  him 
in  the  Indian  language,  with  which  she  had  some  acquaintance ; 
and  one  of  the  tories  among  the  invading  party,  named  Peter 
Smith,  who  had  once  lived  with  the  family  of  Mr.  Wells  as  a 
servant,  interposed  and  begged  the  savage  to  spare  her  life,  pre 
tending  that  she  was  his  sister.  But  this  availed  only  to  procure 
a  short  delay.  The  next  moment  the  interesting  young  lady  fell 
dead  from  the  blow  of  a  tomahawk. 


422  INCIDENTS    ON   THE    BORDER. 

The  house  of  the  venerable  pastor  was  entered  by  the  enemy, 
and  his  aged  wife  immediately  put  to  death  ;  but  one  of  the  Mo 
hawk  chiefs,  named  Little  Aaron,  led  him  out  of  the  house,  and 
kept  him  under  his  protection.  An  Indian,  running  by,  pulled 
off  the  old  gentleman's  hat;  and  the  chief  pursued  him  and 
brought  it  back.  The  old  man  was  thus  rescued  from  massacre ; 
but  the  shock  he  received  was  so  great,  that,  although  he  was  set 
at  liberty  soon  after,  he  died  a  few  months  subsequently.  The 
fort  was  not  taken  by  the  enemy  :  but,  on  the  first  alarm,  a  gun 
was  fired  from  it,  which  gave  intimation  of  the  attack." 


APPENDIX. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  SONS  OF  LIBERTY. 


IN  the  year  1765,  ISAAC  SEARS,  after  ward,  better  known  by  the 
name  of  KING  SEARS,  a  man  of  great  personal  intrepidity,  forward 
in  dangerous  enterprises,  and  ready  at  all  times  to  carry  out  the 
boldest  measures,  became  the  originator  and  leader  of  a  patriotic 
band,  who  associated  themselves  together  under  the  name  of  the 
"Soxs  OF  LIBERTY."  Their  organization  soon  pervaded  every 
part  of  the  colonies,  and  was  the  germ  of  the  Revolution.  By 
their  intrepidity  the  spirit  of  the  masses  was  aroused,  and  by  their 
persevering  industry  and  zeal,  the  people  were  excited  to  oppose 
all  efforts  to  enslave  them.  These  bold  spirits  formed  the  nucleus 
of  the  future  armies  of  the  Revolution  ;  and  it  is  to  the  moral 
courage  which  they  displayed,  and  the  indomitable  resolution 
with  which,  they  braved  all  danger,  that  the  world  is  indebted  for 
the  illustrious  example  set  by  the  infant  colonies  to  Europe,  and 
the  foundation  of  a  great  and  glorious  republic. 

The  intent  of  the  first  association  of  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty" 
was  to  put  down  the  stamp-act ;  and  when  this  was  effected,  the 
objects  of  the  society  appeared  to  be  accomplished.  But  the  acts 
of  parliament,  simultaneous  with,  and  subsequent  to  the  repeal, 
gave  to  the  more  sagacious  a  cause  for  alarm  greater  than  the 
obnoxious  bill  which  had  been  rescinded.  The  billeting  act,  or 
mutiny  bill,  by  establishing  a  standing  army  in  the  colonies  at 
their  own  charge,  was  intended  to  strengthen  the  arm  of  the  royal 
authority,  to  overawe  the  assembly,  and  to  coerce  the  people  to 
acquiesce  in  the  impositions  of  the  parliament. 


424  APPENDIX. 

History  is  full  of  the  resistance  to  the  enormous  assumptions 
of  the  mother-country  by  New  England,  and  at  the  south  ;  but 
little  is  said  of  the  attitude  of  New  York  in  that  dangerous  crisis. 
And  yet  in  that  colony,  where  the  power  of  the  sovereign  was 
almost  omnipotent,  notwithstanding  the  exertions  of  the  most 
wealthy  inhabitants  whose  large  estates  were  held  by  grants  from 
the  crown,  and  whose  subservience  to  the  royal  mandates  influ 
enced  the  assembly,  and  all  those  who  subsisted  by  the  royal 
bounty,  there  was  found  a  chosen  few  who  remained  constant  to 
the  last ;  and  who,  when  all  seemed  lost,  kept  alive  the  spirit  of 
resistance,  until  from  a  feeble  and  hopeless  minority,  they  were 
enabled  to  triumph  over  the  power  of  the  colonial  government 
and  prostrate  the  royal  authority  for  ever. 

The  association  of  the  "Sons  of  Liberty"  was  organized  in 
1*765,  soon  after  the  passage  of  the  stamp-act,  and  extended 
throughout  the  colonies,  from  Massachusetts  to  South  Carolina. 
It  appears  that  New  York  was  the  central  post  from  which  com 
munications  were  despatched  to  and  from  the  east,  and  to  the 
south,  as  far  as  Maryland ;  which  province  was  the  channel  of 
communication  to  and  from  its  neighbors  of  Virginia  and  the 
Carolinas. 

As  the  post-offices  were  under  the  control  of  the  government, 
and  the  riders  not  at  all  times  reliable,  the  committee  of  New 
York  (and  probably  the  other  provinces  adopted  the  same  course), 
upon  extraordinary  occasions,  despatched  intelligence  by  special 
messengers ;  and  if  need  were,  a  part  of  their  members  visited 
in  person  the  neighboring  associations  to  insure  the  perfect  organ 
ization  of  the  patriotic  league. 

The  New  York  association  had  a  correspondent  in  London,  to 
whom  an  account  was  given  of  their  proceedings,  and  from  whom 
intelligence  was  from  time  to  time  transmitted  of  their  proceed 
ings  and  the  supposed  designs  of  the  ministry,  which  in  its  turn 
was  disseminated  among  the  people  by  the  association  at  home. 
A  record  of  the  names  of  the  most  active  of  their  leaders  would  be 
a  desirable  document,  but  as  this  would  be  difficult  to  be  obtained 
without  great  labor,  and,  perhaps,  by  a  single  individual  impos 
sible,  a  list  of  the  committees  hi  the  different  provinces,  so  far  aa 
they  can  be  ascertained,  from  the  remaining  papers  of  the  com 
mittee  of  New  York,  might  be  the  means  of  initiating  inquiry  in 
other  quarters  toward  producing  the  desired  result. 

Those  from  Maryland  will  appear  from  the  following  extract 
from  the  proceedings  of  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty,"  March  1,  1706, 


APPENDIX.  425 

•  "The  Sons  of  Liberty  of  Baltimore  county,  and  Anne  A  run  del 
county,  met  at  the  court  house  of  the  city  of  Annapolis,  the  tirsl 
day  of  March,  1766. 

"  On  motion  of  a  Son  of  Liberty  to  appoint  a  moderator  and 
secretary,  the  Rev.  Andrew  Londrum  was  chosen  moderator,  and 
William  Paca,  secretary. 

"  Joseph  Nicholson,  of  Kent  county,  presented  an  address  from 
that  county,  signed,  William  Ringgold,  William  Stephenson, 
Thomas  Ringgold,  jr.,  Joseph  M'Hard,  Gideon  M'Cauley.  Daniel 
P'ox,  Benjamin  Binning,  William  Bordley,  Jarvis  James,  William 
Stukely,  Joseph  Nicholson,  jr.,  James  Porter,  Thomas  Ringgold, 
James  Anderson,  Thomas  Smyth,  William  Murray,  Joseph  Nich 
olson,  George  Garnet,  S.  Boardley,  jr.,  Percy,  Frisby,  Henry  Van- 
dike,  and  John  Bolton." 

William  Paca,  Samuel  Chase,  and  Thomas  B.  Hands,  were  the 
Anne  Arundel  county  committee. 

John  Hall,  Robert  Alexander,  Corbin  Lee,  James  Heath,  John 
Moale,  and  William  Lux,  were  the  Baltimore  county  committee. 

Thomas  Chase,  D.  Chamier,  Robert  Adair,  Patrick  Allison,  and 
W.  Smith,  were  the  Baltimore  town  committee. 

Pennsylvania. — William  Bradford  and  Isaac  Ho  well,  were  the 
correspondents  at  Philadelphia. 

New  Jersey. — Daniel  Hendrickson,  minister,  Peter  Imlay,  jr., 
Jos.  Holmes,  jr.,  Peter  Covenhoven,  jr.,  and  Elisha  Lawrence,  jr., 
were  the  committee  of  Upper  Freehold — Richard  Smith  of  Bur 
lington,  and  Henry  Bickers  of  New  Brunswick. 

Connecticut. — Jo.  Burrows  ;  Jonathan  Sturgis,  Fairfield  ;  John 
Darker,  Norwich  ;  Hugh  Leollie,  Wind  ham. 

New  York. — Isaac  Sears,  John  Lamb,  William  Wiley,  Edward 
Laight,  Thos.  Robinson,  Flores  Bancker,  Chas.  Nicoll,  Joseph  Alli- 
coke,  and  Gersham  Mott. 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer,  Mynhard  Roseboom,  Robert  Henry, 
and  Thomas  Young,  Albany. 

John  S.  Hobart,  Gilbert  Potter.  Thos.  Brush,  Cornelius  Conk- 
lin,  and  Nathaniel  Williams,  Huntington,  Long  Island. 

George  Townsend,  Barack  Sneething,  Benjamin  Townsend, 
George  Weeks,  Michael  Weeks,  and  Rowland  Chambers,  Oyster 
Bay,  Long  Island. 

The  first  organization  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  was  dissolved  at 
the  repeal  of  the  stamp-act ;  and  while  the  hope  was  strong  that 
similar  associations  would  no  longer  be  necessary,  the  committee 
received  a  letter  from  their  faithful  correspondent  in  London,  of 
the  following  import ; — 


APPENDIX. 

LONDON,  28tk  July,  1766. 

Gentlemen:  I  flattered  myself  to  have  heard  from  you  by  the 
last  ships,  but  am  informed  your  society  is  dissolved,  which  I  am 

§lad  to  hear,  as  the  cause  of  your  complaint  is  removed.     But  I 
link  it  necessary  to  assure  you  that  the  continual  account  we 
had  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  through  all  North  America,  had  its 
proper  weight  and  effect. 

As  our  gracious  sovereign  rules  over  none  but  free  men,  and  in 
which  he  glories,  it  therefore  cannot  offend  him  that  his  numer 
ous  and  faithful  subjects  in  America  claim  the  appellation  of 
Sons  of  Liberty.  Permit  me,  therefore,  to  recommend  ten  or 
twenty  of  the  principal  of  you,  to  form  yourselves  into  a  club,  to 
meet  once  a  week,  under  the  name  of  Liberty  Club  ;  and  forever, 
on  the  18th  of  March,  or  first  day  of  May,  give  notice  to  the  whole 
body  to  commemorate  your  deliverance,  spending  such  day  in 
festivity  and  joy.  I  beg  pardon  for  taking  the  liberty  to  advise 
you ;  but  I  am  firmly  of  opinion  it  will  have  such  effect  as  you 
wish. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servant. 

NICHOLAS  RAY. 

P.  S. — The  commercial  acts  and  free  ports  which  we  lately  sent 
to  all  the  colonies,  I  believe  will  give  you  pleasure. 

To  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  New  York. 

To  this  letter  the  committee  returned  the  following  reply : — 
NEW  YORK,  October  Wth,  1766. 

SIR:  Your  esteemed  favor  of  the  28th  July  last,  we  have  duly 
received ;  and  observe  with  the  greatest  regret  your  disappoint 
ment  at  not  hearing  from  us,  agreeably  to  your  expectations, 
which,  permit  us  to  assure  you,  was  not  owing  to  any  remissness 
on  our  part,  or  want  of  respect ;  but  to  the  dissolution  of  our  soci 
ety,  which  happened  immediately  upon  the  repeal  of  the  stamp- 
act. 

Your  proposal  with  regard  to  a  number  of  us  forming  our 
selves  into  a  club,  we  have  already  had  under  consideration.  But 
as  it  is  imagined  that  some  inconvenience  would  arise,  should  such 
a  club  be  established  just  at  this  time,  we  must  postpone  the  same 
till  it  may  appear  more  eligible  ;  at  the  same  time  we  take  the 
liberty  to  assure  you,  and  all  our  good  friends  on  your  side  of  the 
water,  who  so  nobly  exerted  themselves  in  behalf  of  us,  and  the 
expiring  liberties  of  their  country,  that  we  still  do,  and  ever  shall 


APPENDIX.  427* 

retain  the  most  grateful  sense  of  the  favors  we  have  received ; 
and  that  we  shall  use  our  utmost  endeavors,  consistent  with  loy 
alty,  to  keep  up  that  glorious  spirit  of  liberty  which  was  so  rap 
idly  and  so  generally  kindled  throughout  this  extensive  continent. 
In  order  to  which,  we  shall  not  fail  hereafter  to  celebrate  the  an 
niversary  of  the  repeal,  with  every  demonstration  of  gratitude  and 
joy,  on  the  memorable  eighteenth  day  of  March. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be,  in  behalf  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  and  obliged  humble  servants, 

ISAAC  SEARS,  EDWARD  LAIGHT, 

FLORES  BANCKER,         JOHN  LAMB, 
CHAS.  NICOLL,  JOSEPH  ALLICOKE. 

To  Mr.  Nicholas  Ray,  merchant,  London. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  necessity  for  reorganization  became 
apparent,  and  most  of  the  committee,  who  had  acted  with  so  much 
vigor  and  zeal,  were  found  equally  vigilant  on  every  emergency. 
Of  the  persons  before  named  of  the  New  York  association,  Mr. 
Allicoke  alone  is  known  to  the  writer  to  have  espoused  the  cause 
of  the  king.  But.  with  the  exception  of  Messrs.  Nicoll  and 
Bancker,  whose  names  do  not  appear  on  any  of  the  subsequent 
committees  ;  the  others  were  the  most  determined  opposers  of  the 
crown  and  steadfast  adherents  to  the  revolutionary  party. 


428  APPENDIX. 

THE  APPOINTMENT  OF  GEORGE  WASHINGTON 

TO  THE  SUPREME  COMMAND,  JUNE  18TH,  17  75. 

"  The  army  was  assembled  at  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  undei 
General  Ward,  and  Congress  was  sitting  at  Philadelphia.  Every 
day  new  applications  in  behalf  of  the  army  arrived.  The  country 
were  urgent  that  Congress  should  legalize  the  raising  of  the  army  , 
as  they  had  what  must  be  considered,  and  was  in  law  considered, 
only  a  mob — a  band  of  armed  rebels.  The  country  was  placed 
in  circumstances  of  peculiar  difficulty  and  danger.  The  struggle 
had  begun,  and  yet  everything  was  without  order.  The  great 
trial  now  seemed  to  be  in  this  question,  Who  shall  be  the  com- 
mander-in-chief  ?  It  was  exceedingly  important,  and  was  felt  to 
be  the  hinge  on  which  the  contest  might  turn  for  or  against  us. 
The  southern  and  the  middle  states,  warm  and  rapid  in  their  zeal, 
were  for  the  most  part  jealous  of  New  England,  because  they 
felt  that  the  real  physical  force  was  there.  What  then  was  to  be 
done  ?  All  New  England  adored  General  Ward  :  he  had  been 
in  the  French  war,  arid  went  out  laden  with  laurels.  He  was  a 
scholar  and  a  statesman.  Every  qualification  seemed  to  cluster 
in  him  ;  and  it  was  confidently  believed  that  the  army  could  not 
receive  any  appointment  over  him.  What  then  was  to  be  done  ? 
Difficulties  thickened  at  every  step.  The  struggle  was  to  be  long 
and  bloody.  Without  union,  all  was  lost.  The  country,  and  the 
whole  country,  must  come  in.  One  pulsation  must  beat  through 
all  hearts.  The  cause  was  one,  and  the  army  must  be  one.  The 
members  had  talked,  debated,  considered,  and  guessed,  and  yet 
the  decisive  step  had  not  been  taken.  At  length  Mr.  Adams 
came  to  his  conclusion.  The  means  of  resolving  it  were  some 
what  singular,  and  nearly  as  follows  :  he  was  walking  one  morn 
ing  before  Congress  hall,  apparently  in  deep  thought,  when  his 
cousin,  Samuel  Adams,  came  up  to  him  and  said  : — 

"  '  What  is  the  topic  with  you  this  morning  ?' 

"  '  Oh,  the  army,  the  army,'  he  replied.  *  I'm  determined  to  go 
into  the  hall  this  morning,  and  enter  on  a  full  detail  of  the  state 
of  the  colonies,  in  order  to  show  an  absolute  need  of  taking  some 
decisive  steps.  My  whole  aim  will  be,  to  induce  Congress  to  ap 
point  a  day  for  adopting  the  army  as  the  legal  army  of  these  uni 
ted  colonies  of  North  America,  and  then  to  hint  at  my  election 
of  a  commander-in-chief.' 


APPENDIX.  429 

"'Well,' said  Samuel  Adams,  'I  like  that,  cousin  John;  but 
on  whom  have  you  fixed  as  that  commander?' 

'• '  I  will  tell  you — George  Washington,  of  Virginia,  a  member 
of  this  house.' 

"  *  Oh,'  replied  Samuel  Adams,  quickly,  '  that  will  never  do — 
never.' 

"  '  It  must  do — it  shall  do,'  said  John,  '  and  for  these  reasons  : 
the  southern  and  middle  states  are  both  to  enter  heartily  in  the 
cause,  and  their  arguments  are  potent :  they  say  that  New  Eng 
land  holds  the  physical  power  in  her  hands,  and  they  fear  the 
result.  A  New  England  army,  a  New  England  commander,  with 
New  England  perseverance,  all  united,  appal  them.  For  this 
cause  they  hang  back.  Now,  the  only  course  is  to  allay  their 
fears,  and  give  them  nothing  to  complain  of;  and  this  can  be 
done  in  no  other  way  but  by  appointing  a  southern  chief  over 
this  force,  and  then  all  rush  to  the  standard.  The  policy  will 
blend  us  in  one  mass,  and  that  mass  will  be  resistless.' 

"  At  this,  Samuel  Adams  seemed  to  be  greatly  moved.  They 
talked  over  the  preliminary  circumstances,  and  John  asked  his 
cousin  to  second  the  motion.  Mr.  Adams  went  in,  took  the  floor, 
and  put  forth  all  his  strength  in  the  delineations  he  had  prepared, 
all  aiming  at  the  adoption  of  the  army.  He  was  ready  to  own 
the  army,  appoint  a  commander,  vote  supplies,  and  proceed  to 
business.  After  his  speech  had  been  finished,  some  objected,  and 
some  feared.  His  warmth  increased  with  the  occasion,  and  to  all 
these  doubts  and  hesitations  he  replied  thus  : — 

"  '  Gentlemen,  if  this  Congress  will  not  adopt  this  army  before 
ten  moons  have  set,  New  England  will  adopt  it,  and  she  will  un 
dertake  the  struggle  alone — yes,  with  a  strong  arm  and  a  clean 
conscience,  she  will  front  the  foe  single-handed.' 

"  This  had  the  desired  effect.  They  saw  New  England  was 
neither  playing  nor  to  be  played  with,  and  they  agreed  to  appoint 
a  day.  A  day  was  fixed  :  it  came  :  Mr.  Adams  went  in,  took  the 
floor,  urged  the  measure,  and  after  some  debate  it  passed. 

"  The  next  thing  was  to  get  a  commander  for  this  army,  with 
supplies,  etc.  All  looked  to  Mr.  Adams  on  the  occasion,  and  he 
was  ready.  He  then  took  the  floor,  and  went  into  a  minute  de 
lineation  of  the  character  of  General  Ward,  bestowing  on  him 
the  encomiums  which  then  belonged  to  no  one  else.  At  the  end 
of  the  eulogy,  he  said  :  '  But  this  is  not  the  man  I  have  chosen.' 
He  then  went  into  the  delineation  of  the  character  of  a  cora- 
mander-in-chief,  such  as  was  required  by  the  peculiar  situation 
of  the  colonies  at  that  juncture.  And  after  he  had  presented  the 


430  APPENDIX, 

qualifications  in  his  strongest  language,  and  given  the  reasons  for 
the  nomination  he  was  about  to  make,  he  said  : — 

"  '  Gentlemen,  I  know  these  qualifications  are  high,  but  we  all 
know  they  are  needful,  at  this  crisis,  in  this  chief.  Does  any  one 
say  they  are  not  to  be  obtained  in  this  country  ?  In  reply,  I  have 
to  say,  they  are ;  they  reside  in  one  of  our  own  body,  and  he  is 
the  person  whom  I  now  nominate — GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  OF 
VIRGINIA.' 

44  Washington,  who  sat  on  Mr.  Adams'  right  hand,  was  looking 
him  intently  in  the  face,  to  watch  the  name  he  was  about  to  an 
nounce,  and,  not  expecting  it  would  be  his,  sprang  from  his  seat 
the  minute  he  heard  it,  and  rushed  into  an  adjoining  room.     Mr. 
Adams  had  asked  his  cousin  Samuel  to  ask  for  an  adjournment 
as  soon  as  the  nomination  was  made,  in  order  to  give  the  mem 
bers  time  to  deliberate — and  the  result  is  before  the  world. 
"  I  asked  Mr.  Adams,  among  other  questions,  the  following : 
"  '  Did  you  ever  doubt  of  the  success  of  the  conflict  T 
"  *  No,  no,'  said  he,  '  not  for  a  moment.     I  expected  to  be  hung 
and  quartered,  if  I  was  caught ;  but  no  matter  for  that — my 
country  would  be  free ;  I  knew  George  the  Third  could  not  forge 
chains  long  enough  and  strong  enough  to  reach  around  these 
United  States.'  " 


A  REVOLUTIONARY  RELIC. 

THE  following  interesting  document  was  found  among  the 
papers  of  Major  John  Jacob  Schaefmyer,  a  deceased  patriot  of 
the  Revolution.  It  is  a  discourse  delivered  on  the  eve  of  the  bat 
tle  of  Brandy  wine,  by  Rev.  Joab  Trout,  to  a  large  portion  of  the 
American  soldiers,  in  presence  of  General  Washington,  General 
Wayne,  and  other  officers  of  the  army. 

REVOLUTIONARY    SERMON. 
"  They  that  take  the  sword  shall  perish  by  the  sword." 

Soldiers  and  Countrymen : 

We  have  met  this  evening  perhaps  for  the  last  time.  We  have 
shared  the  toil  of  the  march,  the  peril  of  the  fight,  and  the  dis 
may  of  the  retreat  alike ;  we  have  endured  the  cold  and  hunger. 


APPENDIX,  431 

the  contumely  of  the  internal  foe,  and  the  courage  of  the  foreign 
oppressor.  We  have  sat,  night  after  night,  beside  the  camp  fire ; 
we  have  together  heard  the  roll  of  the  revellie,  which  called  us 
to  duty,  or  the  beat  of  the  tattoo,  which  gave  the  signal  for  the 
hardy  sleep  of  the  soldier,  with  the  earth  for  his  bed  and  the 
knapsack  for  his  pillow. 

And  now,  soldiers  and  brethren,  we  have  met  in  the  peaceful 
valley  on  the  eve  of  battle,  while  the  sunlight  is  dying  away  be 
yond  yonder  heights,  the  sunlight  that  to-morrow  morn  will  glim 
mer  on  scenes  of  blood.  We  have  met,  amid  the  whitening  tents 
•  of  our  encampment ;  in  the  time  of  terror  and  gloom  have  we 
gathered  together — God  grant  that  it  may  not  be  for  the  last 
time. 

It  is  a  solemn  moment.  Brethren,  does  not  the  solemn  voice 
of  nature  seem  to  echo  the  sympathies  of  the  hour?  The  flag 
of  our  country  droops  heavily  from  yonder  staff — the  breeze  has 
died  away  along  the  green  plain  of  Chadd's  Ford — the  plain  that 
spreads  before  us  glittering  in  sunlight — the  heights  of  the  Bran- 
dywine  arise  gloomily  and  grand  beyond  the  waters  of  yonder 
stream — all  nature  holds  a  pause  of  solemn  silence  on  the  eve  of 
uproar  and  bloodshed  and  strife  of  to-morrow. 

"  They  that  take  the  sword,  shall  perish  by  the  sword." 

And  have  they  not  taken  the  sword  ? 

Let  the  desolated  plain,  the  blood-sodden  valley,  the  burned 
farm-house  blackening  in  the  sun,  the  sacked  village,  and  the 
ravaged  town,  answer — let  the  whitening  bones  of  the  butchered 
farmer  strewn  along  the  fields  of  his  homestead,  answer — let  the 
starving  mother,  with  her  babe  clinging  to  the  withered  breast 
that  can  afford  no  sustenance  ;  let  her  answer  with  the  death  rat 
tle  mingling  with  the  murmuring  tones  that  marked  the  last 
struggle  of  her  life ;  let  the  dying  mother  and  her  babe  answer. 

It  was  but  a  day  past,  and  our  land  slept  in  the  quiet  of  peace. 
War  was  not  here  ;  wrong  was  not  here.  Fraud  and  woe,  and 
misery  and  want  dwelt  not  among  us.  From  the  eternal  solitude 
of  the  greenwoods,  arose  the  blue  smoke  of  the  settler's  cabin, 
and  golden  fields  of  corn  looked  forth  from  amid  the  waste  of  the 
wilderness,  and  the  glad  music  of  human  voices  awoke  the  silence 
of  the  forest. 

Now,  God  of  mercy,  behold  the  change.  Under  the  shadow 
of  a  pretext,  under  the  sanctity  of  the  name  of  God,  invoking  the 
Redeemer  to  their  aid,  do  these  foreign  hirelings  slay  our  people  ! 
They  throng  our  towns- — they  darken  our  plains,  and  now  they 
encompass  our  posts  on  the  lonely  plain  of  Chadd's  Ford. 


432  APPENDIX. 

"  They  that  take  the  sword,  shall  perish  by  the  sword  I" 

Brethren,  think  rne  not  unworthy  of  belief  when  I  tell  you  the 
doom  of  the  British  is  near.  Think  me  not  vain  when  I  tell  you 
that  beyond  the  cloud  that  now  enshrouds  us,  I  see  gathering 
thick  and  fast  the  darker  cloud  and  blacker  storm  of  Divine  re 
tribution  ! 

They  may  conquer  us  to-morrow.  Might  and  wrong  prevail, 
and  we  may  be  driven  from  this  field  :  but  the  hour  of  God's  own 
vengeance  will  come ! 

Aye,  if  in  the  vast  solitude  of  eternal  space,  if  in  the  heart  of 
the  boundless  universe,  there  throbs  the  being  of  an  awful  God5(| 
quick  to  avenge,  and  sure  to  punish  guilt,  then  will  the  man 
George  Brunswick,  called  King,  feel  in  his  brain  and  his  heart,  the 
vengeance  of  the  eternal  Jehovah  !  A  blight  will  be  upon  his 
life — a  withered  brain,  and  an  accursed  intellect ;  a  blight  will  be 
upon  his  children  and  on  his  people.  Great  God,  how  dread  the 
punishment. 

A  crowded  populace,  peopling  the  dense  towns  where  the  man 
of  money  thrives,  while  the  laborer  starves  :  want  striding  among 
the  people  in  all  its  forms  of  terror  :  and  ignorant  and  God-defy 
ing  priesthood  chuckling  over  the  miseries  of  millions ;  a  proud 
and  merciless  nobility  adding  wrong,  and  heaping  insult  upon 
the  robbery  and  fraud  :  royalty  corrupt  to  the  very  heart,  and 
aristocracy  rotten  to  the  core ;  crime  and  want  linked  hand  in 
hand,  and  tempting  men  to  deeds  of  woe  and  death — these  are  a 
part  of  the  doom  and  retribution  that  come  upon  the  English 
throne  and  the  English  people. 

Soldiers — I  look  around  upon  your  familiar  faces  with  a  strange 
interest.  To-morrow  morning  we  will  go  forth  to  the  battle — for 
need  I  tell  you  that  your  unworthy  minister  will  march  with  you 
invoking  God's  aid  in  the  fight — we  will  march  forth  to  battle  ! 
Need  I  exhort  you  to  fight  the  good  fight,  to  fight  for  your  home 
steads,  for  your  wires  and  children  ? 

My  friends,  I  might  urge  you  to  fight  by  the  galling  memories 
of  British  wrongs.  Walton — I  might  tell  you  of  your  father 
butchered  in  the  silence  of  the  night  on  the  plains  of  Trenton ; 
I  might  picture  his  grey  hairs  dabbled  in  blood  ;  I  might  ring 
his  death  shriek  in  your  ears.  Shelmire — I  might  tell  you  of  a 
butchered  mother,  and  a  sister  outraged ;  the  lonely  farm-house, 
the  night  assault,  the  roof  in  flames,  the  shouts  of  the  troopers  as 
they  dispatched  their  victims,  the  cries  for  mercy  and  the  plead 
ings  of  innocence  for  pity.  I  might  paint  this  all  again  in  the 


APPENDIX.  433 

vivid  colors  of  the  terrible  reality,  if  I  thought. your  courage 
needed  such  wild  excitement. 

But  I  know  you  are  strong  in  the  might  of  the  Lord.  You  will 
march  forth  to  battle  on  the  morrow,  with  light  hearts  and  deter 
mined  spirit,  though  the  solemn  duty — the  duty  of  avenging  the 
dead — may  rest  heavy  on  your  souls. 

And  in  the  hour  of  battle,  when  all  around  is  darkness,  lit  by 
the  lurid  cannon  glare,  and  the  piercing  musket  flash,  when  the 
wounded  strew  the  ground,  and  the  dead  litter  your  path — then 
remember,  soldiers,  that  God  is  with  you.  The  eternal  God  fights 
for  you — he  rides  on  the  battle  cloud,  he  sweeps  onward  with  the 
march  of  the  hurricane  charge — God  the  awful  and  infinite,  fights 
for  you,  and  you  will  triumph. 

"  They  that  take  the  sword,  shall  perish  by  the  sword." 

You  have  taken  the  sword,  but  not  in  the  spirit  of  wrong  or 
ravage.  You  have  taken  the  sword  for  your  homes,  for  your 
wives,  for  your  little  ones.  You  have  taken  the  sword  for  truth, 
and  justice,  and  right,  and  to  you,  the  promise  is — be  of  good 
cheer,  for  your  foes  have  taken  the  sword  in  defiance  of  all  that 
men  hold  dear,  in  blasphemy  of  God — they  shall  perish  by  the 
sword. 

And  now,  brethren  and  soldiers,  I  bid  you  all  farewell.  Many 
of  us  may  fall  in  the  battle  of  to-rnorrow.  God  rest  the  souls  of 
the  fallen  !  Many  of  us  may  live  to  tell  the  story  of  the  fight  to 
morrow,  and  in  the  memory  of  all  will  ever  rest  and  linger  the 
quiet  scenes  of  this  Autumnal  night. 

Solemn  twilight  advances  over  the  valley ;  the  woods  on  the 
opposite  heights  fling  their  long  shadows  over  the  green  of  the 
meadow  ;  around  us  are  the  tents  of  the  continental  host,  the  sup 
pressed  bustle  of  the  camp,  the  hurried  tramp  of  the  soldiers  to 
and  fro  among  the  tents,  the  stillness  and  awe  that  marks  the  eve 
of  battle.  • 

When  we  meet  again,  may  the  shadows  of  twilight  be  flung 
over  a  peaceful  land.  God  in  heaven  grant  it.  Let  us  pray. 

PRAYER  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 

Great  Father,  we  bow  before  thee ;  we  invoke  thy  blessings,  we 
deprecate  thy  wrath ;  we  return  thee  thanks  for  the  past,  we  ask 
thy  aid  for  the  future.  For  we  are  in  times  of  trouble,  oh,  Lord, 
and  sore  beset  by  foes,  merciless  and  unpitying.  The  sword 
gleams  over  our  land,  and  the  dust  of  the  soil  is  dampened  with 
the  blood  of  our  neighbors  and  friends. 

Oh  !  God  of  mercy,  we  pray  thee  to  bless  the  American  arms. 


434  APPENDIX. 

Make  the  man  of  our  hearts  strong  in  thy  wisdom  ;  bless,  we  be 
seech  thee,  with  renewed  life  and  strength,  our  hope,  and  thy  in 
strument,  even  George  Washington ;  shower  thy  counsels  on  the 
honorable  the  Continental  Congress ;  visit  our  host,  comfort  the 
soldier  in  his  wounds  and  afflictions,  nerve  him  for  the  fight,  pre 
pare  him  for  the  hour  of  death. 

And  in  the  hour  of  need,  oh,  God  of  Hosts,  do  thou  be  our 
stay  ;  and  in  the  hour  of  triumph,  be  thou  our  guide. 

Teach  us  to  be  merciful.  Though  the  memory  of  galling 
wrongs  be  at  our  hearts,  knocking  for  admittance,  that  they  may 
fill  us  with  the  desire  of  revenge ;  yet  let  us,  oh,  Lord,  spare  the 
vanquished,  though  they  never  spared  us,  in  the  hour  of  butchery 
and  bloodshed. 

And  in  the  hour  of  death,  do  thou  guide  us  to  the  abode  pre 
pared  for  the  blest ;  so  shall  we  return  thanks  unto  thee,  through 
Christ  our  Redeemer.  God  prosper  the  cause.  Amen. 


TO 


BORROWED 


LOAN  DEPT. 


8 1987      ^ 

IOVT81988 


W>2lA-60m-8,'7p 
(N8837slO)476— A-32 


General  Library     . 
University  of  California 
Berkeley 


u.c. 


